HeartKids is thrilled to announce that our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
A Reconciliation Action Plan (or RAP) is a way for an organisation to make a formal commitment towards reconciliation. In developing a RAP, an organisation creates a strategic framework to improve cultural safety, build stronger, more respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our RAP journey
The journey to develop our RAP first began a few years ago when the HeartKids Board included a Reflect RAP part of our four-year strategic plan.
At the time, the HeartKids Board recognised the importance of ensuring HeartKids was able to engage meaningfully and impactfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experiencing rising rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and that a commitment to true reconciliation was an integral part of this work.
A RAP committee was formed in early 2024, with representatives from all areas of the organisation. This initial stage saw the committee exploring what reconciliations means to them as individuals, what it means to their teams and what our vision for HeartKids’ reconciliation journey might look like.
As we delved deeper into our reconciliation journey, we worked to grow our cultural capability as an organisation. We held regular Yarning Circles, where we given the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and our own Aboriginal staff members alike. We undertook cultural awareness training and observed important dates like NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day. We also commissioned the Strong Hearts Strong Mob artwork, by Wiradjuri artist Paul Constable Calcott. This artwork, which currently hangs in our Sydney office, has become a central part of our brand, allowing us to show our connection and commitment to reconciliation across our resources, documents and signage.
While our initial plan was to develop a Reflect RAP, Reconciliation Australia advised that our existing work and understanding of reconciliation meant we could move straight to creating an Innovate RAP instead, allowing us to focus on developing strategies for further reconciliation commitments and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our vision for reconciliation
HeartKids’ vision for reconciliation is a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the same opportunities, choices and quality of life as non-Indigenous Australians – where neither race nor postcode determines health or life expectancy.
Every child, teenager, and adult in Australia with CoHD deserves a chance to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
HeartKids is committed to walking alongside communities, listening, and working together to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our vision for reconciliation is grounded in deep respect, enduring partnerships and meaningful action – acknowledging past injustices, addressing ongoing inequities, and building a more compassionate, just and connected future.[BO1]
What happens next?
An Innovate RAP is implemented over two years; you can view our planned commitments over the next two years here.
A Reconciliation Action Plan is not simply a document that is developed then filed away – it is a set of actionable, measurable goals that help us embed reconciliation in everything we do as an organisation.
As we move to the implementation phase of our Innovate RAP, we look forward to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, deepening our understanding, and creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our organisation and the wider CoHD community.
In doing so, we hope to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities impacted by CoHD.
To coincide with this exciting milestone, HeartKids has also launched a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander microsite. Embedded within our existing website, this new microsite has been designed to deliver resources and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the CoHD community in a way that is culturally safe and relevant.
In addition, we’ve launched an online pop-up store, where you can purchase a limited-edition range of merchandise featuring the Strong Hearts Strong Mob artwork. All proceeds of these sales will assist in delivering further support and resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people impacted by CoHD.
To read our full Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, click here.
To visit our new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander microsite, click here.
To view our limited-edition range of Strong Hearts Strong Mob merchandise, click here.
