Understanding and respecting Aboriginal culture begins with Aboriginal people. At Artefact, our approach commences with listening to the cultural preferences of local Aboriginal knowledge keepers and to the strategic requirements of our clients.

Artefact has collaborated with local communities and Registered Aboriginal Parties for numerous projects, including cultural consultation, Designing with Country initiatives, and cultural heritage interpretation strategies. We also assist clients to meet the requirements of design integration for Aboriginal cultural heritage values, as required by the Government Architects Office.

Our Aboriginal cultural heritage projects are delivered through ongoing consultation, including the provision of expert advice and respectful dialogue. This collaborative approach includes nominating an experienced and diverse consultant team to allow for cultural preferences and knowledge-sharing practices.

Artefact has a policy target of at least 10% of our workforce identifying as from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. We are delighted to have achieved this goal with our current team, as just one of the key steps in implementing our own Reconciliation Action Plan.

With a network of contacts and established relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders and Aboriginal engagement consultants across the state, Artefact offers culturally sensitive heritage services:

• Aboriginal community consultation
• community forums and Aboriginal focus groups
• Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment reports (ACHARs)
• liaison with Registered Aboriginal Parties and Local Aboriginal Land Councils
• commissioning Aboriginal artworks and public art
• anthropological research
• reburial of Aboriginal artefacts on Country.

_{Caption: Shazda Brown (Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council) wrapping stone artefacts in paperbark as part of a reburial process. Image courtesy of LOGOS Property.}