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Leading together: co designing the SBCC First Nations Engagement Strategy
The State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC) developed its First Nations Engagement Strategy through a co design process with the First Nations South Australia Aboriginal Corporation, supported by South Australian Native Title Services (SANTS). This approach modelled transformational leadership based on integrity, equity and inclusion, and prioritised genuine collaboration and culturally informed decision making from the start.
The resultant Strategy is fundamentally grounded in the principle that the self-determination and participation of First Nations peoples in emergency management are both central and indispensable. First Nations voices were central to the process and shaped the Strategy’s principles and intent, building trust and respect. This partnership highlighted that meaningful engagement requires listening, relationships, and shared responsibility.
Building upon the existing work of The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy 2024 - 2023, the team aimed to move beyond traditional methods of consultation, by embedding co design, prioritising cultural safety, and allowing time for respectful dialogue. The process not only aimed for ethical partnerships in the development of the Strategy, but also served as an exemplar for the SBCC, demonstrating how the Strategy can be put into action.
The presentation highlights factors behind effective collaboration, the role of cultural knowledge in shaping the Strategy, and key lessons from integrating knowledge systems. It shows how joint leadership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal practitioners can offer First Nations self-determination and agency in emergency management, including through roles such as ‘Values Officers’ in IMTs.
Summarising the organisational benefits of adopting such as Strategy, it will also highlight the risks of not doing so. If unfamiliar with these aspects, now is a good time to engage.
The SBCC has now established both a Strategy and a model for meaningful partnership with First Nations peoples, promoting safer, more resilient and connected communities.
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