Today I am joined by Elle Davidson, Managing Director at Zion Engagement and together we explore the complexities around connecting with Country, as a framework and in practice.

Elle shares her professional journey and the impact she has had through her organisation and consulting work. We unpack what great work looks like in this space including access to her upcoming training platform.

This is a valuable episode for anyone working in planning, design, public spaces, environment and Aboriginal Affairs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jessie Robinson, proud Wiradjuri man and Senior Consultant CoDesign and Engagement at Impact Policy. Together with Sam we explore Jessies journey to now, his extensive on the ground and community experience and a deep dive into CoDesign in practice, Jessies personal and Cultural approach and unpacking what this looks like in our communities.

1. Introduction

• Host introduction: Sam Johnson
• Acknowledgement of country
• Introduction of guest: Jesse Robinson
• Call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast

1. Jesse Robinson's Background and Journey

• Connection to Sam through the podcast
• Introduction to Jesse's personal and professional journey
• Emphasis on lived experience influencing work
• Incorporating lived experience in projects

1. Professional Experience in Non-Profit and Community Sector

• Jesse's role as a Senior Consultant at Impact Policy
• Prior work in the not-for-profit sector
• Roles in youth work, child protection, and management
• Importance of engagement and accessibility
• Shift to strategy and advocacy roles

1. The Concept of Engagement and Co Design

• Jesse's influence from community-led projects
• Transition to engagement and co design work
• Value of co design in providing agency and self-determination for communities

1. Personal Story and Cultural Influence

• Jesse's upbringing in Peak Hill, Western NSW
• Impact of family, including father's activism
• Mother's role as a foster carer
• Influence of kinship and family on professional work

1. Practical Advice for Working with Young People

• Importance of deep listening
• Building trust and relationships with young people
• Cultural significance and connection to community
• Storytelling as a method for connection

1. Reflections on Co Design Workshop

• Recent co design workshop experience with Australian public service leaders
• Challenges of systemic work and achieving long-term change
• Risk of "co design" becoming a PR or trendy term
• Integration of lived experience as fundamental in co design

1. Challenges and Risks in Co Design Practices

• Importance of strong leadership in co design
• Co design as a tool rather than a solution
• Blurring lines between true community-led and co design work
• The role of government and risk of over-consultation

1. Jesse's Perspectives on Systemic Change

• Reflection on Indigenous-led solutions and community engagement
• Flexibility and adaptation as essential in co design processes
• Trauma-informed approach in engagement

1. Conclusion and Future Outlook

• Jesse's consulting work at Mawang Consulting
• Professional goals and self-determination
• Promoting collaboration and authentic engagement
• Final thoughts and expressions of gratitude between hosts and guest

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Sam Johnson on this insightful episode of the Impact Policy Podcast as he sits down with Jarren, an inspiring Wiradjuri woman. Dive deep into the challenges and triumphs faced in the world of Aboriginal business and cultural identity.

00:00 "Aboriginal Procurement Insights"

06:10 "Inconspicuous Beginnings to Bold Brand"

07:06 Empowering Indigenous Art Business

12:33 Challenges of Australian-Made Products

14:46 Partnerships: Authentic or Fraudulent?

16:40 Blackface Businesses and Community Impact

20:12 Exploitation in Aboriginal Business Deals

24:22 Cultural Capability in Black Businesses

26:13 Elders' Voices Matter

30:48 Creating Safe, Inclusive Retail Spaces

35:34 Essential Accountability to Community

39:02 Reflecting on Accountability and Growth

41:13 Diverse Roles in Black Businesses

45:08 Aboriginal Procurement Leadership Champion

46:12 Support Aboriginal Community Organizations

49:19 "Advancing Black Business Advocacy"

Jarin's background and her journey from Western Sydney to the bush.

The founding and mission of Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Program in Redfern.

Insights into the complexities of Aboriginal retail and the challenges of "black facing" and "black cladding.

The significance of 100% Aboriginal-owned businesses and their impact on community.

Navigating cultural capability and accountability within Aboriginal business leadership.

Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal procurement, Jarin, Sam Johnson, Wiradjuri woman, Aboriginal business, Joint ventures, Black cladding, Cultural capability, Retail, Economic pathways, Indigenous-themed products, Trading Black, Aboriginal community, Accountability, Entrepreneurship, Buy Black, Aboriginal land, Elders, Community support, Cultural journey, MC work, Instagram, Jarin Street.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, Sam Johnson, Sean McCarthy, and guest Scott Hawkins explore the complexities of youth justice policy and the Raise the Age campaign in New South Wales and Australia. They delve into current issues, systemic challenges, and possible solutions.

Overview of the Raise the Age campaign and current policies around youth justice in Australia

Statistics and evidence against the current age of criminal responsibility

The impacts of cognitive development and trauma on youth offending

Effectiveness of diversion programs and the need for therapeutic responses

The role of community care and successful examples of justice reinvestment programs.

Raise the Age campaign, youth justice policy, New South Wales, Australia, criminal justice system, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Sean McCarthy, Scott Hawkins, Sam Johnson, over-representation, Raise the Age legislation, mental health services, trauma informed, juvenile detention, recidivism, community support, therapeutic response, law and order campaigns, diversion programs, brain development, cognitive impairments, school disengagement, systems perspective.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Impact Policy Podcast, host Sam Johnson and guest Vanessa dive deep into the complexities of language revitalization and cultural preservation. Vanessa shares her nearly 20 years of experience in public service, discussing both the challenges and the necessary steps to ensure Aboriginal languages are respectfully and sustainably integrated into public spaces.

Organizing an all-Black team for the first language gathering and the cultural responsibility involved.

Tackling high demand and lack of guidelines for Aboriginal language use in the public sector.

Navigating translation requests and maintaining cultural values.

Indigenous-led language work and the shift of non-Indigenous linguists to supportive roles.

Advocating for legislative support and the future of language revitalization in everyday life.

Indigenous language revitalization, cultural responsibility, public service integrity, Aboriginal languages, language governance, translation challenges, language sustainability, cultural unpacking, language teaching, community investment, Indigenous-led efforts, non-Indigenous linguists, ICIP, language policy partnership, language and culture integration, emotional impact, intergenerational knowledge, capacity building, respectful engagement, language centers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran and Sam dive deep into the art of storytelling, with a particular focus on empowering Indigenous voices. This conversation touches on some incredibly poignant and groundbreaking projects that underline the importance of narrative sovereignty and cultural representation.

They discuss the themes of community impact, particularly through the lenses of storytelling and collaborative initiatives between businesses and Aboriginal allies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the episode featuring Ed Wensing on the Impact Policy Podcast, the conversation delves deeply into the topic of Indigenous planning. This involves integrating Aboriginal knowledge and cultural heritage into urban planning and policy-making processes to address historical inequalities and envision more inclusive future developments.

Both Sam and Ed emphasise the importance of incorporating Aboriginal knowledge into contemporary planning. This involves acknowledging Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP) rights and working closely with traditional owners to ensure respectful and informed use of cultural knowledge.

Indigenous planning as discussed in this episode involves recognising and integrating the rich planning traditions of Aboriginal communities into modern urban planning practices. It calls for respectful, informed engagement, robust educational efforts, and policy work that upholds Indigenous rights and self-determination. This comprehensive approach aims for a generational shift toward more inclusive and effective planning practices that honor the contributions and rights of Indigenous people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Lightbulb moments" Kiersten Fishburn takes us on a professional and personal journey in the next episode of the Impact Policy AU podcast.

She shares the moment she realised, wherever she was. She's always 'on Country'. Together we explored a range of policy challenges that impact everyone in NSW today.

Join Sam Johnson as he speaks with Kiersten Fishburn about youth engagement in policy development and the importance of incorporating Aboriginal culture into urban planning. Delve into the challenges and initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful community connections.

The impact of youth consultation on urban projects, like the redesigned park in Woolloomooloo.

Integrating Aboriginal cultural concepts like "caring for country" into modern planning.

The significance of storytelling and yarning in leadership and decision-making.

Addressing housing crises with culturally appropriate solutions for Aboriginal communities.

The importance of economic empowerment and self-determination for effective reconciliation efforts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.