Building relationships and working together with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is essential for the success of your RAP, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the First Nations people of Australia. 

Relationships should be built on trust, mutual respect and inclusiveness. Communicating and collaborating are key to long-term, successful partnerships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.   

It may take time to get to know each other and create safety and trust for all parties to express views openly and honestly.  

Be mindful to not put too much pressure on community members to be involved. It’s respectful to establish a relationship with the community before asking members to contribute to activities in your school or early learning service.  

Reconciliation in education is about building sustainable, transformational relationships rather than of short-term, transactional ones.