The City of Melbourne Indigenous Unit raises cultural awareness, working to promote Melbourne’s Indigenous profile, including its Traditional Owners, the many Indigenous Victorians who gather in Melbourne and those who come to the city for work, study or fun.
The Indigenous Unit includes Indigenous staff members with a broad range of experience. The unit’s work focuses on five main areas.
Planning
- Delivering on the City of Melbourne's Reconciliation Action Plan.
- Coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Indigenous Public Space Program.
- Identifying the issues and barriers Indigenous youth experience in accessing city support services.
Policy
- Ensuring the City of Melbourne's Indigenous Statement of Commitment is recognised and supported through the organisations' strategies and actions.
Advice
- Advising the City of Melbourne on Indigenous issues, interests and culture.
- Running the City of Melbourne's internal Indigenous Cultural Awareness Program, delivered in partnership with the Koorie Heritage Trust.
Advocacy
- Being the contact point for the Indigenous community.
- Ensuring the Victorian and Australian governments have the opportunity to respond (where appropriate) to issues in the Melbourne municipality.
Services
- Community education.
- Promotion of Indigenous culture, issues and achievements throughout the year and during events such as Reconciliation and NAODOC weeks.
Indigenous Arts Program
Through its Indigenous Arts Program, the City of Melbourne produces, supports and funds arts and cultural activities devised and delivered by Indigenous artists and communities. The program also supports reconciliation and promotes a better understanding of Indigenous issues in the wider community.
The City of Melbourne’s Code of Practice for Galleries and Retailers of Indigenous Art is another initiative that provides galleries and shops in the central business district of Melbourne with guidelines on the ethical sale of Indigenous art.
More information
For more information about the Indigenous Unit, call the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.