We are committed to establishing and strengthening mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders by working with local organisations and communities. We aim to engage and inspire employees, apprentices and senior leaders at Western Power to actively promote a culture of inclusion.
We promote reconciliation and express this through our annual report and media channels. Events hosted at Western Power, including the Reconciliation WA Business In Action Forum, support a continuing effort to encourage our external stakeholders to embed reconciliation foundations in how they conduct business and endorse anti-discrimination strategies for policies, procedures and recruitment opportunities.
During National Reconciliation Week conversations are encouraged across our employee platforms and social media, led by the Walking Together Employee Network Group.
NAIDOC week celebrations in 2021 were attended by over 450 employees and included Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies performed by local Elders: Mr Shaun Nannup (Perth), Mr Aiden Eades (Albany), Mr Mick Hayden (Merredin) and Mr Zac Webb and Mr Wayne Webb (Vasse, Bridgetown and Picton).
Enriching activities embracing Aboriginal culture bring Western Power employees together at these events to learn and share on our reconciliation journey. Respect for Indigenous culture rises from learning through bush tucker lunches, Aboriginal culture immersions with Bindi Bindi Dreaming, traditional dance lessons delivered by exciting young dancers from Wadumbah Indigenous Dance Troupe and Indigenous art class with Yamatji artist Bev Egan.
Our external activities during NAIDOC week have been supported by promoting positive relationships in the recruitment and selection of staff, resulting in a review of the HR policies and procedures to identify and remove barriers to entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
See more in Opportunities.