Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Resources | ACT Council of Social Service Inc.

Here you'll find resources that can assist your organisation and staff develop more awareness about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

These resources will help you to increase your understanding about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, embed good cultural practices in your organisation, and engage in respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users and workers.

Assistance: For assistance with these resources, please contact our Gulanga Program.

Reconciliation Peer Network: For networking and peer support around reconciliation and cultural awareness, join the Reconciliation Peer Network.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Resources List

CASAT - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Self-Assessment Toolkit

The CASAT is a set of good practice standards developed to assist community service organisations improve the quality of their services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities and to strengthen the organisation’s knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Gulanga Good Practice Guides

These guides provide information on topics that aim to assist organisations implement and embed good practice when working and engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly within the ACT and region. Each guide provides a general overview, which we hope will generate change and discussion within a workplace.

Gulanga Activity Book

The Gulanga Program developed the Activity Book to assist organisations in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. We hope the activities will assist you to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Resource for Community Sector Workers (ACT & Region)

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Resource for Community Sector Workers provides basic information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and can be used as a guide to start further research and conversation.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Men's Resource Booklet: Canberra Region

This booklet aims to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander men and their families, and the agencies supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander men in the Canberra region, by raising awareness of available services in the area. It also includes topics such as researching your family, what you need when you are looking for...

Self-Assessment Tool for Recruiting & Retaining Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander Workers

This tool is designed to help you think holistically about how to seek, engage, employ and retain Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff within your organisation.

Literature Review: Recruitment and Retention of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Staff

Review of current literature about and tools available from other organisations and/or industries to improve recruitment and retention of paid staff who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Reconciliation Calendar Poster

ACTCOSS has developed this calendar to reflect on our shared history and to map events that have helped shape the reconciliation journey for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. The events in this calendar recognise and celebrate some of the actions and achievements from the past that form the...

Options for Our Community: Housing, Accommodation, Respite and Support in the ACT

This is a practical guide for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers in the community sector. It aims to raise awareness of services and to facilitate the engagement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families to access services that will best meet their needs.

Perpetual Calendar for Reconciliation and Health

This calendar aims to support community organisations to celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples and their ongoing contribution to this nation.

Update, Issue 88, Winter 2019: Cultural competency: Working together with Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander peoples & communities

Issue 88 of the ACTCOSS journal includes a rich mix of articles that we hope will provide new perspectives and strengthen mutual understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures in your workplace.

Update, Issue 84, Winter 2018: People with disability: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander perspectives

The Winter 2018 journal offers information and perspectives around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and disability.

Update, Issue 80, Winter 2017: What is the impact of white privilege in Canberra?

The Winter 2017 journal offers perspectives on white privilege in Canberra and its impact.

Update, Issue 76, Winter 2016: Working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples & communities

The Winter 2016 journal explores working with Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander peoples & communities.

Update, Issue 72, Winter 2015: Respectful Relationships with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the ACT

The Winter 2015 journal explores respectful relationships with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT.

Update, Issue 92, Summer 2020-21: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples: Stories of good practice in the community sector

This edition of the ACTCOSS journal shares examples of good practice, tools and resources to assist in improving and developing services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and supporting First Nations staff in the community sector.

We hope this journal provides a useful reference to support your organisation to develop...