Our Commitment to Reconciliation
Woden Community Service (WCS) honours the resilience, knowledge and cultural strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Canberra region and across Australia. We recognise the diversity and richness of First Nations cultures, languages and traditions, and celebrate the unique cultural wisdom, family bonds and deep connection to Country that continue to enrich our community and the nation.
Our Vision for Reconciliation
At WCS, reconciliation means working towards strong, respectful relationships and lasting unity between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. We acknowledge the truth and ongoing impacts of colonisation, and we support healing through historical acceptance and cultural understanding.
Our vision is for all Australians to:
- Recognise and address the continuing effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
- Build genuine relationships founded on respect, inclusion and cultural learning.
- Promote equity by closing the gaps in health, education, employment and opportunity.
Our Reconciliation Actions
Since 2010, WCS has developed and implemented a series of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) to embed reconciliation principles into both our service delivery and our workplace culture. These plans are built around three core pillars:
Relationships
Fostering trust, partnership and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders.
Respect
Recognising and valuing First Nations histories, cultures, perspectives and rights across all areas of our work.
Opportunities
Creating pathways for employment, leadership and advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples throughout WCS.
Our RAP Journey
Each RAP reflects our ongoing learning and commitment to meaningful action. You can explore our progress through our past and current RAPs:
WCS Innovate RAP 2021–2023 – full
WCS Innovate RAP 2021–2023 – one-pager
Why Our RAP Matters
Our RAPs are a commitment to truth-telling, cultural education, diversity and the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership. Through our actions, WCS works to advance equality, equity, historical acceptance, institutional integrity and unity, in alignment with national reconciliation best practices.
For more about our reconciliation journey and partnerships, please get in touch with us or visit our Who We Are page.