How to Use the Planning with Country Online Resource Library
Welcome to the Planning with Country Online Resource Library, a dedicated space for tools and resources that support planning and built environment professionals in working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, knowledge, culture, and Country. This library is designed to enhance understanding of Planning with Country principles and practice while ensuring ethical engagement with Indigenous cultural and Intellectual property. The resources here are intended to be a starting point only and do not cover all that is needed to be understood about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, place and culture. Planners are encouraged to build local ongoing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to support better understanding and decision making.
Responsibility
These resources provide an opportunity to gain understanding and self-educate on important First Nations issues and context regarding planning and broader cultural awareness, however, it serves as an information purpose only.
Please use and explore the resources with the applied knowledge that they must be discerned of their appropriability to your specific needs as appropriate to your project, community, and organisation's needs. Each circumstance is its own, if you require further guidance, please refer to your company protocols or local First Nations consultancy.
1. Understanding Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appropriation occurs when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and/or communities knowledge or practices are used without permission or proper acknowledgment. When using resources from this library:
- Always credit the original knowledge holders.
- Ensure the resource is used in the right context.
- Avoid modifying or repurposing cultural materials.
2. Respecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples knowledge and cultural expressions are often collectively owned and governed by specific cultural protocols. To respect ICIP:
- Check for permissions and restrictions before using or sharing a resource.
- Where possible, engage directly with the relevant community or knowledge holders.
- Do not commercialise or profit from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities knowledge without explicit consent and benefit sharing by agreement.
3. Ethical Use of the Library
To ensure respectful and appropriate use of the resources:
- Follow any guidelines attached to each resource.
- Be mindful of context— materials are shared for learning purposes, not for direct application in planning projects.
- If in doubt, seek guidance from First Nations experts or organisations.