Indigenous Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 The Indigenous Policy (the policy) aligns UTS with the international principles detailed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and with national Indigenous higher education objectives.

1.2 To realise the commitments and sentiments in the UTS Reconciliation Statement, UTS will:

set clear Indigenous education, research and employment objectives
establish principles that underpin the implementation of these objectives
embed Indigenous protocols and acts of cultural recognition into UTS’s ceremonial life
establish governance structures, accountabilities, planning requirements and reporting processes to help UTS achieve the objectives under this policy.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to all UTS staff and students. It should be read in conjunction with the UTS Reconciliation Statement, the Indigenous Education and Research Strategy 2019–2023 and the Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy 2019–2023.

3. Principles

3.1 UTS acknowledges Indigenous Australians as Australia’s first peoples and the ongoing custodians of Country who occupy a unique place in Australian society. UTS takes pride in, identifies with, and celebrates Indigenous Australia.

3.2 UTS is committed to an environment for Indigenous people that is welcoming, respectful, non-discriminatory and free of harassment.

3.3 UTS is committed to Indigenous self-determination. Self-determination is the internationally recognised right of indigenous peoples to control their own affairs, maintain their culture and heritage, and determine their own future. At UTS, self-determination means the right of Indigenous people to celebrate their culture and identity and to determine the direction of Indigenous education, research and employment (in line with UTS’s rules, management and governance structures).

3.4 As part of its commitment to Indigenous self-determination, UTS will:

be accountable to the Indigenous community regarding its plans, activities and achievements
facilitate Indigenous participation in UTS decision-making, where practicable, by targeting places for qualified Indigenous people to join major and strategically significant committees, advisory groups and working parties, including those that are not specifically Indigenous
consult Indigenous people in planning and implementing initiatives in support of this policy.

3.5 Indigenous education, research and employment are priority areas of operation and are core UTS business.

3.6 This policy and its objectives must be considered when developing all UTS strategies, plans, programs and reviews.

4. Policy statements

Implementation and resourcing

4.1 All areas of UTS share responsibility for implementing this policy and progressing its objectives. Performance measures are included in the university’s staff performance management system.

4.2 UTS will provide additional financial resourcing to support Indigenous education, research and employment, where appropriate.

Education and research

4.3 Indigenous education is for all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. For Indigenous Australians, this means the opportunity to gain a tertiary education, pursue excellence and achieve full participation in Australian society. For non-Indigenous Australians, this means the opportunity, for the first time in generations, to gain a deeper understanding of our nation’s Indigenous heritage and its uniqueness. It is fundamental to nation-building.

4.4 The UTS commitment to Indigenous education extends to providing our community of international students, scholars and staff with the opportunity to gain an understanding of Indigenous Australians.

4.5 UTS is committed to the achievement of educational outcomes for Indigenous Australians that are at least equal to those of other Australian students.

4.6 To contribute to building an inclusive Australian identity and raising the standard of professional service delivery to Indigenous Australians, UTS is embedding an Indigenous graduate attribute and/or Indigenous course intended learning outcome into every UTS course. All graduates will have knowledge of Indigenous Australians.

4.7 UTS is committed to ethical research principles founded on respect for Indigenous self-determination. Research that involves Indigenous people should have best practice ethical standards and respect human rights principles.

4.8 Indigenous people must be informed about any UTS-related research project that concerns them. This includes ensuring that:

the project is fairly negotiated and with prior and informed consent
Indigenous participants share an understanding of the aims and methods of the research
Indigenous participants share the results of the work and are involved with decisions over how the results are used
Indigenous participants maintain control over their knowledge, with Indigenous intellectual contributions being properly attributed in relevant research findings
material collected during the course of the research is properly preserved and protected.

Employment

4.9 UTS is committed to the recruitment, retention and career development of Indigenous people.

4.10 UTS will recognise Indigenous staff members’ committee participation as an additional workload element and accommodate appropriately (owing to the relatively small numbers of Indigenous staff and the considerable committee responsibilities they have).

4.11 UTS is committed to the development of Indigenous professional competency among its non-Indigenous staff.

Objectives

4.12 In developing and delivering Indigenous education, research and employment, UTS aims to:

achieve Indigenous undergraduate and postgraduate student enrolment rates that are at least reflective of state population parity
achieve Indigenous undergraduate and postgraduate progression and completion rates that are at least equal to those of other undergraduate and postgraduate students at UTS
ensure that all courses specifically offered to Indigenous students are of a high quality, appropriately supportive, academically rigorous and aligned to the expectations of students, the Indigenous community and potential employers
develop Indigenous competency among its students by creating an environment in which all UTS students have the opportunity to gain knowledge of Indigenous Australians
ensure that all UTS graduates have a professional capacity to work with and for Indigenous Australians
develop and promote Indigenous research across UTS
encourage the internationalisation of Indigenous education and research
encourage acts of Indigenous cultural affirmation and raise the status and visibility of Indigenous people and culture across UTS
achieve Indigenous staff employment rates that are at least reflective of state population parity, and Indigenous retention rates that are at least equal to those of UTS non-Indigenous staff
offer Indigenous staff professional development opportunities to enable them to fully realise their potential within their discipline or profession
offer non-Indigenous staff at all levels the opportunity to learn about Indigenous Australia, improve their cultural understanding, and undertake training to build their Indigenous professional competency.

Committees

4.13 UTS has established two Vice-Chancellor’s committees in recognition of the importance UTS places on Indigenous education, research and employment.

Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Committee

4.14 The Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Committee (VCIAC) is the premier body in terms of the university’s relationship with the external Indigenous community. The committee’s members are Indigenous people from outside UTS, drawn from the Indigenous community, industry and/or the higher education sector.

4.15 UTS discourages the creation of multiple or alternative Indigenous advisory bodies or committees unless otherwise endorsed by the VCIAC.

Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Strategies Committee

4.16 The Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Strategies Committee (VCISC) is UTS’s senior strategic committee in relation to the progression of Indigenous education, research and employment. The committee’s membership includes senior executive staff, directors, Indigenous professors and others who hold key academic and management positions at UTS.

4.17 VCISC monitors the development and progression of Indigenous objectives outlined in this policy and its two associated strategies, the Indigenous Education and Research Strategy 2019–2023 and the Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy 2019–2023.

4.18 VCISC may establish sub-committees or working groups to provide specialist advice on any matter relating to the progression and monitoring of this policy’s objectives.

Indigenous recognition and cultural protocols

4.19 UTS will seek either a Welcome to Country or give an Acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners at all significant UTS events where appropriate. Refer to the Guiding Principles for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country.

4.20 In affirming Indigenous culture and identity, and in recognising the wisdom, knowledge and special status of Elders within Indigenous communities, UTS will seek to engage with Indigenous Elders in the advancement of Indigenous education, research and employment at UTS.

4.21 UTS will permanently display the Australian National Flag and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags beside each other in a prominent location on the UTS campus. The flags will also be displayed in a prominent position at all significant UTS events.

4.22 All Indigenous students, with prior approval from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) or nominee, are able to graduate wearing elements of academic dress that have Indigenous cultural relevance and that celebrate their Indigenous identity. This also applies to Indigenous staff forming part of the academic procession at graduation ceremonies.

5. Policy owner and contact

5.1 Policy owner: The Provost is responsible for the enforcement, compliance and review of this policy.

5.2 Policy contact: The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) is the primary source of leadership and advice to senior staff on the implementation of this policy and good governance of Indigenous education, research and employment across UTS (refer also Appendix 1: Indigenous governance diagram).

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) is also responsible for implementing, facilitating and monitoring the progression of the Indigenous Education and Research Strategy 2019–2023 and the Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy 2019–2023.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement), or nominee, also approves requests from Indigenous students and staff to incorporate elements of Indigenous cultural relevance in academic dress worn at graduation ceremonies, including in the academic procession. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) or nominee liaises with the Director, Student Administration Unit or nominee to ensure this is reflected in central graduations processes.

5.3 Others:

Academic Board considers any matter referred to it by the VCISC that is relevant to its functions and powers.

Deans are responsible for implementing this policy in their faculty in line with relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and other performance measures. Deans must ensure that this policy and the progression of its objectives are specifically included in all faculty strategies, plans, programs and reviews.

Deans will report at least annually to VCISC on their implementation of this policy and its objectives, as well as the progression of Indigenous initiatives detailed in the Indigenous Education and Research Strategy 2019–2023 and the Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy 2019–2023.

Directors of non-faculty units are responsible for implementing this policy in their unit in line with relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and other performance measures. Directors must ensure that this policy and the progression of its objectives are specifically included in all unit strategies, plans, programs and reviews.

The following Indigenous committees have the responsibilities that are outlined in statements 4.14–4.18 of this policy and in their terms of reference:

The Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) provides cross-university leadership in UTS Indigenous initiatives.

Supervisors and managers (including deans and directors) must include relevant KPIs and performance measures in the workplans of academic and professional staff in areas relating to Indigenous access and support, teaching and learning, research, engagement, internationalisation and employment.

The University Leadership Team must ensure that relevant KPIs and other performance measures are included in the workplans of senior staff in areas relating to Indigenous access and support, teaching and learning, research, engagement, internationalisation and employment.

The Vice-Chancellor will broadly report to Council on matters relating to Indigenous education, research and employment.

6. Definitions

The following definitions apply for this policy and all associated procedures. These are in addition to the definitions outlined in Schedule 1, Student Rules. Definitions in the singular include the plural meaning of the word.

An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is defined as any person who:

is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
is recognised by the Indigenous community in which they live as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

This definition is based on the definition of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander that has been adopted by the Australian Government for administrative purposes.

Indigenous means Indigenous people or a thing pertaining to Indigenous people.

‘Indigenous populations are composed of the existing descendants of the peoples who inhabited the present territory of a country wholly or partially at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world, overcame them and, by conquest, settlement or other means, reduced them to a non-dominant or colonial situation…’ (United Nations Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Rights, ref E/Cn.4./Sub.2/L.566,1982).

In this policy, with the exception of the reference to international indigenous peoples, the term Indigenous refers to the Indigenous people of Australia who are otherwise known as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Indigenous education means the entire Indigenous higher education enterprise. This includes:

equal opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous Australians
the opportunity and processes for all Australians to gain knowledge about Indigenous Australians
Indigenous research
Indigenous cultural recognition
Indigenous community engagement
Indigenous internationalisation.

Indigenous employment means the employment of Indigenous Australians. Indigenous employment includes the employment of Indigenous people into Indigenous-identified positions as well as positions not specifically identified for Indigenous people. Indigenous employment includes not only the hiring of Indigenous staff but also their professional development and their physical, cultural and emotional wellbeing and safety.

Indigenous research means research about and with Indigenous Australians by either Indigenous or non-Indigenous researchers. The term also refers to research conducted by Indigenous researchers on topics that may or may not be Indigenous in nature. The development of Indigenous research includes:

creating research opportunities for Indigenous students and staff
encouraging research not only relating to Indigenous people but relevant to Indigenous people
ensuring that research relating to Indigenous people is ethical.

Approval information

Policy contact	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement)
Approval authority	Vice-Chancellor
Review date	2022
File number	UR21/431
Superseded documents	Indigenous Education and Employment Policy 2016 (UR15/214)

Version history

Version	Approved by	Approval date	Effective date	Sections modified
1.0	Academic Board, AB/19-3/61	31/07/2019	28/10/2019	New policy.
1.1	Director, Governance Support Unit	09/03/2021	17/05/2021	Amendments to reflect updates resulting from the Policy Impact Project (2020).

Acknowledgements

Australian Government Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: The review proposes that universities, governments, professional bodies, the business sector and communities work together to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through higher education.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The declaration is a set of principles describing equality, non-discrimination, partnership, consultation and cooperation between Indigenous peoples and governments and their institutions. Adopted by General Assembly Resolution 61/295 on 13 September 2007. This declaration was officially endorsed by the Australian Government on 3 April 2009.

Universities Australia Indigenous Strategy 2017–2020: The strategy articulates commitments by Australian universities to advance Indigenous participation and success in higher education.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies: The principles contained in the guidelines are founded on respect for Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination, and to control and maintain their culture and heritage. AIATSIS considers these principles to not only be a matter of ethical research practice but of human rights.

National Health and Medical Research Council ethical guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: The guidelines provide relevant advice about ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Australia Council for the Arts’ Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property in the Arts: The protocols set out the legal, ethical and moral considerations for the use of Indigenous material. The protocol guides endorse the rights of Indigenous people to own and control their cultural heritage.