Stretch
Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-2029
Flinders University’s Reconciliation Action Plan is grounded in a deep commitment to justice, respect and transformation.
These guiding principles: Decision-Making, Truth-Telling, Self-Determination, Voice, Historical Rights and Interests, and Sovereignty reflect our responsibility to uphold the aspirations of First Nations Peoples. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) asserts and recognises in Article 15 (1).
“... Indigenous Peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations and strives to ensure that these rights are appropriately reflected in education and public information.” These frameworks call for Indigenous peoples to be at the heart of national and institutional renewal, with full recognition of the rights to participate in decisions, preserve culture, and determine their own futures.
These principles are living commitments that shape how we listen, learn and lead. By embedding these into our institutional culture, Indigenous peoples are central to the purpose, governance, and transformation of higher education.
“First Nations to be at the heart of Australian higher education.”
Reference - Australian Universities Accord Final Report 2024
Sovereignty
We honour this sovereignty by embedding Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing across our institution. We understand that true reconciliation requires structural change that respects Indigenous authority and affirms their rightful place at the heart of higher education.
Decision-making processes
We affirm that First Nations Peoples must be central to decision-making process that affect their communities, cultures and futures. We commit to co-designing governance structures that embed Indigenous perspectives, values and authority. This principle ensures that decisions are not made about First Nations Peoples without their full participation and leadership.
Truth-Telling
We embrace truth-telling by creating spaces for honest dialogue, curriculum reform and research that centres Indigenous experiences and knowledge. We recognise that truth-telling is essential to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Self-Determination
We support Indigenous-led research, teaching, student success and community engagement, ensuring that First Nations Peoples define their own priorities and pathways. This principle underpins our commitment to equity, empowerment and partnerships.
Voice
We are committed to listening deeply and acting on the guidance of Indigenous staff, students and communities. We recognise that voice is not symbolic, it is a vital instrument of justice, inclusion and transformation.
Historical Rights and interest of First Nations people.
We acknowledge the historical and ongoing rights of First Nations Peoples as the original custodians of this land. The Uluru Statement From the Heart and the Australian Universities Accord both affirm the importance of recognising Indigenous sovereignty, cultural heritage and legal traditions.
Professor Colin Stirling
President and Vice-Chancellor
Flinders University
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
“As one of the leading international universities in Australia, with locations across urban and regional areas, Flinders University is well positioned to drive reconciliation outcomes by embedding truth telling, mutual respect and self determination in its education, research and employment initiatives.”
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I congratulate Flinders University on its formal commitment to reconciliation, as it implements its first Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), it’s third RAP overall.
Formed around the pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, the RAP program helps organisations realise the critical role they can play in driving reconciliation across their work and area of expertise.
As one of the leading international universities in Australia, with locations across urban and regional areas, Flinders University is well positioned to drive reconciliation outcomes by embedding truth-telling, mutual respect and self-determination in its education, research and employment initiatives.
This Stretch RAP is built upon the considerable experience Flinders university garnered in previous RAPs. Notably, it embodied the ethos of the RAP program when it undertook a second Innovate RAP to allow for the development of stronger relationships with stakeholders and a focus on embedding initiatives rather than ticking them off. This willingness to slow down and consider impact, along with thoughtful initiatives like its university-wide RAP Conference and Elders on Campus program, helps Flinders University build trust and strong relationships between students, staff and community.
With these learnings, Flinders University has built solid foundations upon which to expand and embed its commitments in this Stretch RAP. Indigenous perspectives continue to inform the university’s strategies in recruitment, procurement, research excellence and community engagement. This shows Flinders University recognises that Indigenous knowledges, cultures and languages contribute to the fabric of the university and are best preserved and shared through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators, researchers and students.
By embracing dual knowledges and cultural perspectives, Flinders University has the potential to create transformative educational experiences and drive considerable reconciliation outcomes across its sphere of influence. On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend Flinders University on this Stretch RAP and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey.
Since our first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan in 2020, we have made considerable progress.
Our journey has been forged through deep listening, ongoing engagement and the critical responsibility we hold as a place of learning and discovery.
Our next steps are clear - our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan commits Flinders to meaningful, lasting change, further embedding reconciliation and expanding our impact across the University’s footprint and beyond.
We’ve detailed our actions for the next three years, lifting our commitment and holding ourselves accountable for the results. Our ambition is straightforward – we want to be a university where First Nations’ knowledge adds richness to curriculum and research, where our people embody the spirit of equity, diversity and reciprocity and where our relationships with the communities we serve are respectful and enduring.
The Australian Universities Accord Final Report makes key recommendations around First Nations’ participation, governance, workforce, research and self-determination. In line with the Report, Flinders recognises that “weaving First Nations cultures and knowledge more strongly into the fabric of our tertiary education system will enrich Australian society.”
This future will be built on a foundation of togetherness, collaboration and shared determination. This is a future we’ll own and celebrate together, actively living our reconciliation commitments and measuring our success across metrics, milestones and moments.
Together, we will continue to walk this path with courage, humility and purpose, ensuring that reconciliation is not just a vision, but at the cultural heart of Flinders University.
Professor Colin Stirling
President and Vice-Chancellor
Flinders University
“...weaving First Nations cultures and knowledge more strongly into the fabric of our tertiary education system will enrich Australian society.”
As Co-Chairs of the Reconciliation Action Plan Oversight Committee, we are proud to present Flinders University’s first Stretch RAP, an ambitious and deeply considered commitment to reconciliation that builds on the foundations laid by our previous Innovate RAPs.
Our community has made meaningful progress in embedding reconciliation into the fabric of university life with strengthening engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, knowledges and leadership. We acknowledge and celebrate the tireless efforts of our staff, students, and alumni who consistently demonstrate the principles of togetherness, reciprocity and respect.
Flinders University recognises its sphere of influence through the higher education sector. We understand that reconciliation is a shared commitment, and that leadership must be grounded in critical reflexivity, relationality and a generosity of spirit. This Stretch RAP marks a new phase in our journey—one that calls for sustained, systemic change and deeper integration of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. We recognise that these Indigenous knowledge systems are not only vital to reconciliation but also strengthen our university’s values structure and impact. We stand with First Nations peoples in advancing self-determination, addressing racism and ensuring First Nation’s voices are heard in shaping Australia’s future.
Professor Simone Ulalka Tur
– Yankunytjatjara
Co-Chair
Professor Jonathan Craig
Co-Chair
We invite everybody to continue to walk with us, so reconciliation becomes embedded in the way we work, teach and care for our people and communities. A Stretch RAP is a chance to deepen this journey - to listen more, to act with respect, and to stay accountable.
We recognise and thank those within the University community who have made space for culture, language and ceremony since starting our RAP journey. Now we ask for the next step: stronger Indigenous leadership, clearer measures of progress, and ongoing, respectful relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities connected to the University.
“To me, reconciliation means that we need to recognise and acknowledge the damage that colonisation has done to First Nations Australians and work together to build a society who promotes inclusion, rather than exclusion. This means that we honour and respect the oldest living culture on the planet and openly participate in the celebrations of us sharing spaces across Australia. This also means that we recognise and acknowledge the diverse languages and cultural practices of new Australians, whether they are from the first fleets or just landed in Australia. Recognising multiculturalism means recognising histories, stories, foods, technologies, each other and so much more from all around the planet, and as a university I feel that we should never stop learning from each other and for ourselves. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose from celebrating, accepting and embracing each other and what we each have to offer. We owe it to ourselves to remain united and continue to use education as a platform of endless learning so we can reach endless achievements.”
Uncle Richard Fejo, Larrakia
Senior Elder On-Campus
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which our campuses are located across South Australia and the Northern Territory. These lands are home to the Arrernte, Dagoman, First Nations of the South East, First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee region, Jawoyn, Kaurna, Larrakia, Ngadjuri, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri, Warumumgu, Wardaman, and Yolngu peoples. We honour the enduring connection of these Nations to Country, culture, and community, and pay our respects to Elders past and present, whose wisdom continues to guide us.
Kaurna
Poetic text gifted by Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien and the Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi Language Committee.
Yolŋu
Gifted to Flinders University Reconciliation Action Plan from Yolŋu Traditional Owners, Nhulunbuy where the College of Medicine and Public Health NT is located.
Larrakia
Gifted to Flinders University Reconciliation Action Plan from Larrakia Traditional Owners, Darwin where the College of Medicine and Public Health NT and Flinders Poche SA+NT are located.
Arrernte
Gifted to Flinders University Reconciliation Action Plan from Arrernte Traditional Owners, Alice Springs where the Flinders Poche SA+NT and Centre for Remote Health are located.
“Reconciliation is the environment we create, it begins and ends with us”
Uncle Richard Fejo, Larrakia
Senior Elder On-Campus
Kaurna
Yara
Reciprocity of ideas and ‘two way’ learning that takes place in a shared place.
Purlirna kardlarna ngadluku miyurnaku yaintya tikkiarna
Wardlipari is the home river in the Milky Way. The stars are the fires of the people living there.
Yararlu yurakauwi trruku-ana padninthi Wardlipari
Yurakauwi the rainbow serpent goes into the dark spots in the Milky Way.
Ngaiyirda karralika kawingka tikainga yara kumarninthi.
When the outer world and the sky connect with the water the two become one.
Gifted to the Flinders University Reconciliation Action Plan from the Kaurna Language Committee.
Waatu
Together in partnership.
Nguyanguya muri
Reconciliation.
Pirrku
Message, story.
Yolnu
Nalimurru buku-gurrupan mirri go djama wanygangurruna
Everyone/all of us – giving and showing respect both ways and working together.
Yolŋu go napaki rrambani bala rali djama
Yolŋu & napaki, working together.
Dhambay manapan. Buku luŋ’thun.
Connect together. Come together.
Dhäwu djarr’yun waŋganykuma gä rrambaŋi djäma dhukarr dhunupayama.
Sort out story as one and work together to make a straight road.
nhuŋu gä ŋarraku.
For you and me.
Gifted By Gumatj Elders Dhayirra Murphy Yunupingu, Lipaki Jenny Dhamarrandji & Mayalil Fay Marika.
Larrakia
Batjji wa, Batjji ma
Welcome, Welcome to.
Gulumoerrgin (Gull-more-egin)
The name of the land on which the Larrakia group resides.
Nilijarrk
You have arrived.
Batjji ganyam
It’s good to see you..
Gun-gwa gwoyelaw Gulumoerrgin
This is Larrakia Country.
Arrente
Anyente-Irreme (annite urrum)
Moving together as one.
Utnenge (utnunga)
Spirit of the land.
Terminology
At Flinders University, we honour the diverse identities and expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
We understand that language plays a vital role in self-determination, cultural integrity and respectful engagement. Terms such as ‘First Nations’, ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’, ‘Indigenous’ and ‘First Peoples’ are used in different contexts, and we acknowledge the significance each may hold for individuals and communities.
Following meaningful conversation and co-design processes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, including staff, students, Elders and communities, Flinders University will use ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ as the preferred collective term in this Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan. This choice reflects our commitment to inclusivity and cultural respect and recognises the distinct histories and identities of Australia’s First Peoples.
We also recognise that the term ‘Indigenous’ may not resonate with all communities and, in some cases, may be viewed as insufficiently representative of cultural diversity and lived experience. Accordingly, this term is used in reference to official government programs, policies or frameworks where it is the designated terminology.
This approach reflects Flinders University’s ongoing commitment to respectful language, cultural safety and authentic partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
With recognition that Indigenous peoples are the first peoples and knowledge holders of the lands on which we live and work, the University acknowledges the connectedness and love of Country; the relationality to human and non-human spirit, emotion, intellect, philosophies and creativity; the significance of relationality through local, national and global kinships and kindred relationships; and the importance of shared solidarity.
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