Respect, listening and considered action
Care and connection sit at the heart of Nurtura. We believe those values must also shape how we acknowledge Country, communicate, build relationships and approach opportunities involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Nurtura Co acknowledges the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their continuing connection to Country, culture, community and waterways.
Nurtura Babies are lovingly prepared on Bunurong Country, west of Melbourne, Australia.
Learn more from the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
The principles guiding us
This is an ongoing responsibility—not a finished achievement or marketing claim.
Acknowledge Country
We recognise Bunurong people as Traditional Owners and respect their continuing connection and responsibility to Country.
Listen before acting
Work affecting First Nations people should be informed by the voices, priorities and authority of those involved.
Respect culture
Culture, stories, artwork, language and knowledge are not ours to use without appropriate authority, agreement and attribution.
Build relationships
Any collaboration should be respectful, properly discussed and mutually valuable—not symbolic or extractive.
Our commitment
The Nurtura Co is committed to communicating and growing in ways that are respectful, inclusive and culturally aware. We acknowledge the strength, diversity, knowledge and enduring cultural leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We also recognise that good intentions are not enough. Respect requires humility, listening, continued learning and a willingness to be accountable for how we communicate and act.
What this statement means
This page describes the principles we intend to follow. It does not suggest endorsement of The Nurtura Co by Bunurong Land Council, any Traditional Owner group, any First Nations person or any organisation. It also does not claim that Nurtura has completed a formal Reconciliation Action Plan.
Understanding Closing the Gap
We recognise the importance of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its aim of changing how governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to overcome inequality.
The National Agreement is a formal partnership involving Australian governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations. Its four Priority Reforms focus on:
- formal partnerships and shared decision-making;
- building the community-controlled sector;
- transforming government organisations; and
- shared access to data and information at a regional level.
Nurtura's position
The Nurtura Co is not a party to the National Agreement and does not claim that its products, purchases or ordinary business activities deliver Closing the Gap outcomes. We can, however, learn from its emphasis on First Nations leadership, partnership, accountability and community-controlled decision-making.
How we intend to put respect into practice
As a small and developing business, we want commitments to grow from real practice rather than broad promises. Areas we will continue to consider include:
- using respectful, current language and correcting errors when they are identified;
- learning whose Country we are working on and acknowledging it appropriately;
- seeking First Nations-led advice when a project specifically concerns culture, community or lived experience;
- recognising that expertise, consultation, artwork and cultural contribution should be properly agreed and paid;
- considering First Nations-owned businesses and suppliers where their products or services are suitable for the work;
- avoiding stereotypes, tokenism and unsupported claims about cultural relevance or community benefit; and
- reviewing opportunities based on community priorities and mutual value rather than assuming what is needed.
We will distinguish between actions already taken and future intentions. If Nurtura later makes a specific partnership, procurement, contribution or community-impact claim, we aim to explain what occurred and who was involved rather than relying on vague language.
Culture, knowledge and collaboration
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are diverse, living and held by communities with their own authority and protocols. An invitation to collaborate does not create permission to use cultural knowledge, names, language, stories, symbols, designs or artwork.
Any future project involving cultural material should begin with appropriate consultation and agreement. It should consider authority, consent, attribution, payment, intended use, ownership, approval processes and the right to withdraw or limit use where agreed.
Where Nurtura Babies or related resources may be used in First Nations community, education, health, aged care or disability settings, we will not presume that a general product is automatically culturally appropriate. Suitability should be guided by the people, organisation and community involved.
No cultural endorsement is implied
Linking to Bunurong Land Council, Closing the Gap or another First Nations resource is provided for information and learning. It does not imply a partnership, approval, certification or endorsement unless Nurtura expressly states that a formal relationship exists.
Learning without speaking for others
The Nurtura Co can state its own responsibilities and intentions, but we do not speak on behalf of Bunurong people, other Traditional Owners or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Where First Nations perspectives are needed, the appropriate voices should be centred directly.
Our commitment is to keep learning, listen when concerns are raised and favour thoughtful action over performative statements.
Connection and opportunities
We welcome conversations with First Nations individuals, community-controlled organisations, educators, artists, consultants, suppliers and other businesses about opportunities that are genuinely relevant to Nurtura's work.
This might include cultural learning, inclusive practice, appropriate product use, procurement, commissioned creative work or a future collaboration. An initial conversation does not commit either party, and any proposed work would need to be discussed and agreed respectfully.
Start a conversation
If you would like to raise a concern, share guidance or discuss a relevant collaboration or community opportunity, we would be grateful to hear from you.
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