FW: ( S.A. ) Ochre Dawn :Making Reconciliation the heart of your New Year’s resolutions

DOWNER GROUP MASKS & AOC CARDS

To promote Indigenous Business month and to support Downer Group’s people in protecting themselves against COVID-19, they created reusable face masks with us. The artwork printed on the masks was proudly created by Acacia Collard, an artist, and former Downer colleague. The artwork is titled ‘Kadidjiny’ (Noongar word for learning). The design represents a group of many individuals coming together on a journey of learning and understanding. This is because Downer believes that when everyone embraces knowledge-sharing and listening to one another, only then can people truly move forward, together. They said, “These masks look smart, are great value for money and are comfortable too!” (Some of their team members are pictured above – looking very groovy and safe!)

Downer also worked with us to produce Acknowledgement of Country cards which feature a respectful, general Acknowledgment of Country to encourage their people to deliver acknowledgements in their online and face-to-face meetings. To further personalise an acknowledgement, Downer encourages people to take the time to research the Traditional Custodians of their local area and customise the statement in their own words. The cards promote and encourage Indigenous engagement and cultural awareness at Downer.
If you’re interested in these products for your team, get in touch with our friendly sales team.

OUR WONDERFUL OCHRE DAWN ARTISTS

In our communication with you every month, we celebrate outstanding First Nations artists and this month is no different as we turn the lens on our own diverse network of talented artists! At Ochre Dawn, we are passionate about working ethically and professionally with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, ensuring they are paid and credited appropriately and helping them gain more sustainable income. We are passionate about how First Nations artwork always tells a story and passionate about how we can work with corporate marketing, industry communications, governments, schools and much more to bring their story to life through engagement with First Nations artists in this beautiful and impactful way.

Our network of artists come from all corners of the country and work in a variety of mediums, including but not limited to: paintings on canvas (dot work, line work, illustrations and more), digital vector artwork, photography, wood carving, weaving, writing, dancing, music and much more! To find out more about our artists, check out our instagram feed or contact us about an upcoming project.

And, if you’d like to find out more about joining our network of First Nations artists, or know someone that would, visit the expression of interest page on our website, and start the conversation! We have a number of new projects coming up and would love to hear from you!

📷Joel Drake

EARTH JINDA

Earth Jinda is owned & operated by Jame, a Gumbaynggirr nyami living on country along the mid north coast of NSW. Jame is an Aromatherapist and Birth worker (focusing on culturally safe maternal care and spaces for Aboriginal women).
Her products are created to bring alternative options to support mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and are cruelty free, Australian made, ethically sourced and packaged with as minimal waste as possible. They are small batch products to support well-being: “Our offerings are merely the tools to support one’s own personal internal work and healing journey.”
To add divine fragrances to your diffuser, or for many other wonderful olfactory adventures, be sure to visit: earthjinda.com 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Here at Ochre Dawn we supply a huge range of apparel – including PPE. At the end of 2021, we were delighted to welcome Melita to join our team in Sales. Melita comes with a wealth of experience in PPE, corporate uniforms and supplier engagement. She’ll be happy to talk through whatever your PPE, apparel or other needs are in this new year!
Whatever your occasion, event, business or safety requirements are, our apparel can be customised to suit your needs. We have a commitment to sourcing products ethically and responsibly, direct from the factories. Whether you want to show off your staff with stylish corporate clothing and uniforms or grab people’s attention with fun promotional clothing, Ochre Dawn can help.
Your options are endless, so feel free to contact us directly if you have something specific in mind – or have no idea and need some expert advice!

SORRY AND BEYOND

Healing the Stolen Generations

Brian Butler’s grandmother was taken from her family in 1910. She was 12 years old. Twenty years later her daughter, Brian’s mother, was taken. Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, like Brian Butler’s, have been coping with the trauma of child removal for more than a century.
Sorry and Beyond describes the growth of the grassroots movement that exposed the truth about Australia’s shameful removal policies and worked towards justice. Born in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the movement was joined by nearly a million non-Indigenous Australians in the 1998 Sorry Day Journey of Healing campaigns which paved the way for the Federal Parliaments unanimous apology in 2008.
Brian Butler and John Bond call on the Australian government and community to take further steps to help complete the journey of healing for Stolen Generations people, bring about real reconciliation and prevent the continuing separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities.

The winner of December’s Book of the Month ‘The First Scientists’ is Lynne! Thanks again, Lynne, for your order from our online store.

Now, it could be your turn to win this month’s great book!

Simply order from our online shop in January and you will be automatically entered into the draw to win a copy of this meaningful and informative book.

PLANNING FOR RECONCILIATION

A Reconciliation Action Plan is an opportunity to drive change, be a preferred employer, and build a dynamic and diverse team with greater cultural awareness. Ochre Dawn can help you discover how a Reconciliation Action Plan can evolve and enhance your business. The Ochre Dawn team has proudly worked on a range of RAP projects for small businesses to large corporations as well as government departments and non-profit organisations. RAPs are a great way to embed Reconciliation within the cultural and social infrastructure of your workplace that ensures a respectful and inclusive environment.

If you’re thinking about doing your first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), part way through your RAP adventure and need a bit of help or about to launch your next RAP and want to add some extra ‘wow’ factor, contact us to talk you about what’s possible!

If you’d like to know more on how we can walk this process with you, head online or contact us to discuss who we can work with your organisation in these exciting steps forward!