Backing for indigenous cultural facilities

Establishment of a National Indigenous Heritage Centre in Cairns has the support of the First Peoples Advisory Committee (FPAC).

A report tabled at today’s Ordinary Meeting stated Cairns Regional Council had the support of the FPAC in developing two separate cultural facilities in the region – a local community cultural centre and a National Indigenous Heritage Centre.

The FPAC was established to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Cairns to provide input into Councils’ decision-making processes.

“Cairns Regional Council has the full support of the First Peoples Advisory

Committee in its desire and advocacy for a National Indigenous Heritage Centre or similar in the Cairns region,” the report stated.

“This facility would recognise the significant history, art, cultural heritage, language and customs of the First Nations Peoples.”

The report also noted Reconciliation Australia’s endorsement of Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) October 2019 - September 2021, in July 2019.