Practical Indigenous Wisdom: A Track in the Conference “Sustainability Rhetoric: Facts and Fictions”

These are interesting times in terms of local government appreciation of their obligations, or duty of care, in ensuring social change and social inclusion for First Nations peoples. This paper discusses some of the important kinds of understandings of Indigenous knowledge that organisations, such as local councils and their decision-making arm (managers and aldermen) need to acquire and understand to keep pace with the needs of Indigenous populations within their footprint. The level of commitment to social change expands by incorporating Indigenous aspirations into strategic planning. This impetus also gains traction by developing projects that reflect this commitment to privileging Indigenous knowledge into the way that local councils “do business” and the advice gained through proper consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This paper discusses a case study in which the Wiradjuri (Aboriginal) research consultant (myself) explains the kinds of challenges and initiatives that need to be creatively “dealt with” and integrated into the project for sustainable outcomes and organisational change. This research project reflects an Indigenous knowledge base and “way of doing”, including Indigenous history, cultural heritage, sense of place and connection to Country. Incorporating Indigenous knowledge not only enhances community prospects and viability but also enhances more sustainable management styles for local government in ways of communicating effectively with the community whilst also managing positive development for our Aboriginal communities’ futures.