At Gresley Abas we acknowledge the primacy of First Nations’ knowledge of place and relationship with Country. This country and its sovereignty are not ceded. It is our responsibility to care for Country. It sustains us all.
All of our work is on Aboriginal Country
The Uluru Statement from the Heart invites us to walk together in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. Gresley Abas is committed to this movement and have embedded this commitment and work into the strategic direction for our practice. In support of this commitment, we have completed our ‘Reflect’ RAP and are now drafting our ‘Innovate’ RAP. Gresley Abas also participates in the Architecture and Design Reconciliation Industry Network Group which seeks to identify and implement industry-wide action to further the aims of reconciliation. We are all engaged in this work. Together we undertake ongoing professional development and learning through training, workshops, participation in events, sharing of knowledge and resources, and support of each other to grapple with the changes that we need to make.
“From the moment of your group presentation to tender … to the final design specifications and agreements; your commitment to Aboriginal-led community-controlled sovereignty was apparent. The way an inherent understanding of space for Aboriginal community; of design principles that clearly enunciated Country, landscape and connection to place were thought about and then enabled through community workshops to be driven by us as Aboriginal people was fully appreciated and a wonderful experience.”
Through partnerships and collaborations, we work closely with First Nations to focus our attention on how our work, and ways of working, can make a material difference. We bring the questions that arise from the Australian Indigenous Design Charter to our process. At Gresley Abas we believe that Indigenous knowledge and ways of being benefit everybody involved in our projects. We are honoured to work with First Nations clients, collaborators, and consultants. We are grateful for their shared knowledge and support in our learning. We believe that commitment is required by non-Indigenous peoples to create a better future.
