On Thursday, 6 July Western Sydney University proudly launched its Indigenous Futures 2023-2032 Decadal Strategy at the opening of the First People’s Walk at its Kingswood campus. Students, staff, alumni, Elders and community members gathered to celebrate this significant occasion.
The Decadal Strategy is an important blueprint for Indigenous growth and development at Western over the next ten years and establishes the University’s commitment to building the next generation of Indigenous leaders. The stories of Indigenous People and Western Sydney University have over time become shared stories that are interwoven into the organisation and the broader community. They are stories of people, of place, and of partnerships – all of which form the foundation for the ambitions and commitments outlined in the Strategy.
Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership, said she believes that Western is the first and only university with a long-term and short-term Indigenous strategy.
“Western’s strategic approach encompasses connecting with First Nation People across the globe. We aim to harness our Indigenous research and teaching success and to augment Indigenous People, determining our own cultural, economic, political and social autonomy in a changing world. In order to be successful, the key values for this Indigenous Futures Decadal Strategy are based on the fundamental principles of social justice and self-determination,” said Professor Trudgett.
Professor Barney Glover AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, noted that the Indigenous Futures 2023-2032 Decadal Strategy builds on the strategic work of the 2020-2025 Indigenous Strategy and positions Western as a place that fosters, develops and supports the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
“As our nation embraces and adopts technology and knowledge capabilities for the future, this Strategy combines local access with global possibilities for the next generation of Indigenous People. For this reason alone, we welcome the opportunity to create a bold strategic vision for the future,” said Professor Glover.
The First People’s Walk is a space of tribute and recognition of Indigenous people and culture. As a place of education, it aims to teach people about the cultural significance of plants and animals for our First Peoples. The space also provides an ecosystem restoration, local Indigenous teaching and storytelling, and the development of a bush tucker garden through hands-on learning with the University’s environmental experts and Indigenous Elders. Importantly, it is a space where staff, students, and the community can gather and feel connected to both the University and the natural environment.
To access Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Futures 2023-2032 Decadal Strategy please follow: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/content/dam/digital/pdf/DecadelStrategy.pdf.
