2023 Reconciliation Prize Winners
Dr Michael Mossman
Empowerment.
Dr. Michael Mossman is an Architect and educator and is a Kuku Yalanji man from Cairns, now living and working on Gadigal land. Based at the University of Sydney, Dr. Mossman gained a Doctor of Philosophy in 2021 with his thesis: ‘Third Space, Architecture and Indigeneity. Michael’s ambition is to create a structural shift in the education, practice and policy of the architectural profession – seeing First Nations cultures as agents for change. With his focus firmly on growing capacity within the profession through the promotion of greater cultural competency, while helping to build a pipeline of First Nations built environment practitioners, Michael is asking the profession to look differently, asking us to consider our physical landscape through a broader cultural lens, with the intent of decolonizing the built form. His intent is that through the identification of a new starting point we might achieve built outcomes that better reflect, celebrate and respond to the unique landscape and cultural history of the places our projects exist. With the awarding of a $1.4m Australian Research Council Linkage grant Dr. Mossman will be investigating the capacity of Architects to deliver on Designing with Country competencies, with the intent of assisting in the amplification of professional skills.
Gujaga Foundation
Voice.
The Gujaga Foundation is a community run social enterprise that leads language, cultural and research activities within the La Perouse Aboriginal Community. The Foundation has established a framework of engagement that allows built environment professionals to better connect and understand First Nations stories in an authentic and culturally appropriate way. Through the foundation they have established a consultancy framework, ensuring that the community’s cultural knowledge is fairly and appropriately managed, while at the same time investing in research and truth telling – with the ambition that gaps in Australia’s history can be restored. By taking control of their cultural capital the community generates income that is reinvested into education programs enabling their youth to learn language and better connect with their history. This is a program that has identified a commercial need and is leveraging the opportunity to create a positive future history rooted in cultural authenticity. Gujaga has established a framework that is helping to empower their local community while providing an example for other First Nations community groups to engage with the built environment sector to create culturally rich places, to the benefit of all Australians.
Photo: Gujaga Foundation
Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW
Truth.
To truly achieve reconciliation our nation must address historical truths. This will be difficult but will ultimately allow us to collectively own our entire history – both painful and wonderful.
This year Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW added the Appin massacre site of 1816 to the State Heritage Register. The listing acknowledges the significance of one of the earliest and most traumatic frontier conflict events between First Nations People and European settlers. At least 14 Aboriginal men, woman and children were killed in the attack ordered by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. This listing on the State Heritage register recognises the injustices of the past and provides and opportunity for healing and reconciliation. The listing includes topography and natural features of the landscape that have sacred significance to the Dharawal traditional custodians and the Gundungurra people and will ensure the protection of the site and cultural landscape so that future generations can learn from the injustices of the past. Leadership of this type, acknowledging the pain sometimes imbedded in our physical environment should be acknowledged and protected is the sign of a truly enlightened and open society.
Through acknowledgement will come understanding, helping to build empathy and community. As an organisation we fully support truth telling through the lens of the physical environment and congratulate the Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW for this significant step.
Photo: Appin Massacre Cultural Landscape | Heritage NSW
