Building Bridges Through a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
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Jessi Rebel’s Poems of the Shore
By Pino Demaio
At Local Peoples, we’ve embarked on the journey towards first peoples reconciliation, by developing our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Building upon the framework provided by Reconciliation Australia, this is our roadmap for engaging meaningfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
For us, this step isn’t just procedural – it’s a team-wide commitment to reconciliation, cultural understanding, and embedding equity into everything we do.
A RAP is so much more than a document; it’s a call to action.
Guided by the principles of relationships, respect, and opportunities, our RAP aims to address systemic inequities, amplify self-determination, and foster mutual understanding.
It lays the foundation for authentic engagement with First Nations histories, cultures, and perspectives while critically examining our practices to ensure that Local Peoples are aligning with reconciliation goals.
Driving Change Through Action
This RAP represents a pivotal moment for us as we deepen our commitment to reconciliation. We’re working to strengthen partnerships with First Nations communities, ensuring their voices are central to the design and delivery of our projects.
Beyond external engagement, this action plan challenges us to grow internally by embedding cultural awareness into our recruitment, professional development and organisational culture.
Some of the key initiatives we’re excited to implement include:
- Cultural awareness training for all team members.
- Building strategic relationships with First Nations organisations, such as the Barayamal accelerator program.
- Amplifying Indigenous talent through dedicated career pathways for designers.
- Co-designing methodologies with First Nations practitioners to support Country-centered design in line with the Australian Indigenous Design Charter.
A Mission Born from Reflection and Responsibility
Developing this RAP has been a long-overdue step for us at Local Peoples. We recognise that advancing reconciliation is a shared responsibility that all Australians must embrace.
We deeply respect the complex impacts of colonisation and understand that authentic reconciliation requires action – not just good intentions. It is really important to Local Peoples, that we ensure this RAP creates a framework that balances ambition with actionable steps.
With invaluable guidance from Simon O’Toole, a proud Gamillaroi/Eualeyai man and CEO of Reality Dreaming, we’ve critically examined our practices to ensure this RAP reflects our values.
And we’re delighted to have licensed artwork on our RAP by Jessi Rebel, a proud Wiradjuri woman living on Wadawurrung Country.
Her evocative piece is called “Poems of the Shore”, and she says this particular artwork is a reminder to look around and listen to what Country is showing you.
“I painted it up after walking along the Barwon River on Wadawurrung Country,” she explained. “This particular walk I was just tuning in to myself and what’s around me, paying attention to the sounds, smells, and anything else my senses picked up as I walked.
“I’m always really drawn to lines and patterns and there’s so many in nature when you pay attention. This piece represented the lines in the sand I walked on, created by the lower tide and wind.
“It’s a reminder to go slow, look around you and listen to and see what Country is showing you.”
Jessi Rebel by @lesliecarvitto.photography
Looking Ahead
We see this RAP as a dynamic tool that will help us make meaningful contributions to reconciliation. By fostering a culture of truth-telling and understanding within our organisation, we hope to deepen our relationships with First Nations communities and amplify Indigenous talent in the design industry.
As we move forward, we plan to progress to more advanced RAP stages, evolving our initiatives to better align with the aspirations of First Nations communities.
Our ultimate goal is to embed reconciliation into every aspect of Local Peoples and contribute to a more equitable and respectful Australia.
To organisations considering their own RAP, we found approaching the process with humility and a long-term commitment to measurable action most valuable. Engage First Nations advisors, involve your team, and remember – this journey is about creating real change.
Through this journey, we’re proud to reaffirm that reconciliation isn’t just an organisational goal for us – it’s a shared responsibility and a vital step toward creating lasting change.
Jessi added: “I think it’s great that Local Peoples are going through the process of bringing together a RAP and collaborating with a First Nations artist to be a part of it.
“Local Peoples have also provided me with a platform to share some of my story and journey with art, so it feels really supportive to know that beyond my art, my story and who I am is also important.”
