FIRST NATIONS PARTNERSHIPS
Developing meaningful relationships
Supporting First Nations aross Australia and the Pacific through co-design & partnerships
We are deeply committed to collaborating with First Nations peoples through genuine partnership and co-design to enhance water quality and security and the overall well-being, sustainability, and resilience of these communities.
Our vision is to create a ripple effect that helps close the gap, improves life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and supports Indigenous economic empowerment.
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Our objective is to achieve tangible results that uplift lives and transform communities.
Borroloola, Northern Territory (2018)
Borroloola, Northern Territory (2018)
Belief in Collaboration
We believe in the power of genuine collaboration and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to address the critical challenges surrounding safe drinking water and water security.
To achieve this, we combine our partners' knowledge, expertise, and experience to drive impactful change, benefit communities, and contribute to sustainable development.
Combining Knowledge and Expertise
We collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultants and organisations in culturally secure partnerships.
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As facilitators, we assist organisations in establishing synergistic relationships with First Nations consultants and organisations to drive impactful change, benefit communities, and contribute to sustainable development.
We create opportunities for non-Indigenous organisations and Indigenous community-based organisations to come together and draw on their complementary expertise.
Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland (2024)
Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga (2024)
Building Trusted Partnerships
As brokers, we focus on cultivating strong partnerships by establishing clear communication channels, shared goals, and mutual trust.
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We prioritise respectful engagement from the outset. This involves active listening, understanding and respecting their histories, cultures, and perspectives through open dialogue and truth telling.
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In partnership with our clients, we hold informal and formal workshops and community meetings to promote open dialogue, allowing for the sharing of concerns, aspirations, and cultural insights.
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We approach these relationships with humility, recognising the importance of cultural protocols and seeking guidance from First Nations leaders and elders.
Through transparency and open communication, we actively listen and invite their input from the project's inception through its planning stages.
Embedding co-design in a project’s DNA
We embed co-design in a project's DNA by influencing genuine co-design needs to be comprehensively embedded into a project. This drives holistic and innovative solutions that are sustainable and culturally appropriate, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the communities are at the forefront.
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By fostering inclusive partnerships and co-design processes, we aim to create sustainable, culturally appropriate water solutions that empower communities to thrive and maintain their rich cultural heritage.
Integration of the Borroloola school students’ art work to the water treatment plant as part of the artwork project