As part of NAIDOC Week, the Queensland Law Society is launching a QLS first, the Law Firm First Nations Strategy Template.
Developed in collaboration with the Society’s First Nations committees and stakeholders, the new template is designed to support firms and organisations to move beyond intent and into action.
It will help embed cultural safety, build cultural capability, and strengthen relationships across the profession.
QLS First Nations Consulting Committee Chair Uncle Terry Stedman said: “The First Nation strategy provides for so many benefits that can enable community to go from an impoverished position to one where they, through the benevolent nature of the program, can participate, be heard and demonstrate their ability through valuable contributions.
“The strategy provides formwork upon which strength, focus, desires, dreams and wishes can evolve.
“For many families, not benefitting from intergenerational wealth, not being heard due to their socio-economic status and not being able to access or even hope for a tertiary education due to family commitments, the strategy allows for opportunity.
“The opportunity enables participation, with a focus on First Nation Peoples in Queensland.”
Participation enables those involved to have a vision of the future. The wider community will benefit from firms and organisations looking to focus on their Reconciliation Action Plan or even to develop one.
Guided by the principle of “Less Paper, More People”, the strategy prioritises genuine engagement, relationship building, and meaningful community connection over process heavy and paper-based approaches.
This strategy is designed as a template to supplement and strengthen a firm’s cultural journey and align it with the firm’s own vision and goals. It is not intended to replace other First Nation Plans, initiatives or Reconciliation Action Plans.
Firms and organisations are welcomed and encouraged to engage with Reconciliation Australia (RA) in developing a RAP or may wish to have the strategy as a stand-alone. The strategy may also be used as stepping stone towards a RAP.
First Nations Legal Policy Committee guest Aunty Margaret Hornagold, a Barada and Kabalbara woman, said: “The legal profession are the advocates for people navigating a complex and demanding justice system. Deep listening and understanding the multi-layered lives of those who need assistance is not easy.
“This strategy provides practical steps to supplement and strengthen advocacy, education and embedding cultural integrity across legal services.”
The template is structured around five key focus areas: Advocate, Belong, Educate, Imbed and Recognise.
It supports firms to define their vision, set measurable goals, and implement practical actions that evolve over time. Firms may choose to replace or add other goals or initiatives that align with broader mission and strategy.
Firms and organisations have already begun to reach out, requesting an early copy of the template, showing the commitment across the profession to develop and strengthen cultural strategies.
Access the template here.
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