Our Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-2022
Statement of acknowledgement
We acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country.
We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia.
The EPA is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve our Corporate Vision for ‘a better environment for the health, wellbeing and prosperity of all South Australians’.
The EPA recognises that the development of equitable and respectful partnerships, that align with and support the progression of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community interests related to Country should lead to advances in health and wellbeing, employment and economic opportunities.
Building on the endeavours from our first RAP, this ‘Innovate’ RAP 2021–2022 is the next step in the EPA’s reconciliation journey.
Download Innovate RAP 2021–2022
Cover artwork: Caring for Country
The artwork depicts Land, Air and Water, with the centre piece a representation of the coming
together of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in a way that allows sharing of knowledge
about country which contributes to the building of new relationships and strengthening old ones. The senior Elders are sitting on the outside watching over this relationship between the EPA and the Aboriginal communities. The water flows through the artwork from one side to the other to signify the journey of Reconciliation with the water also represented in the centre to demonstrate that the journey has started and is not over. The image under the meeting place is symbolic of a shield to signify the protection of country but also represents the protection of the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples through times of sharing knowledge and that through difficult times we can continue on the journey if we sit, listen and learn.
Artist: Scott Rathman
Scott is an Arrernte descendant who has lived the majority of his life in Adelaide. The rich design in his work is a tribute to his Grandmother who was a member of the Stolen Generation and overcame so much in her life to be an amazing role model. His curiosity to explore and understand his cultural background is the passion that that drives him to continue to look for new ways to combine the traditions of his heritage with designs of the present day.
