the blackcard

our history
our values

BlackCard’s approach is based on a cultural competency course developed by Mary Graham and Lilla Watson, Aboriginal Elders and Educators and long-time course developers and lecturers for the University of Queensland. The founders of the BlackCard have developed and taught core university subjects such as “Aboriginal Perspectives” and “Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge” both at an undergraduate and post- graduate level since the 1970’s.

The demand for their knowledge and expertise as educators has grown beyond the university sector to the broader business and community sectors. This led the founders to develop the BlackCard. The BlackCard builds cultural competency to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. The BlackCard’s approach requires strengthening ethical behaviour enabling all people to understand and undertake respectful relationships with each other.

Creating a society that includes us all in a meaningful and productive way by people working more effectively with First Nation people and each other.

Ethical behaviour – responsibility and obligations to treat everybody with respect
Respect – for self and others
Honesty in feelings, emotions and actions
Deep listening and deep learning
Integrity – conducting yourself in a respectful manner
All perspectives are valid and reasonable
Courage and acceptance
Independent – autonomous enterprise
Sharing – maintaining the tradition of sharing knowledge, resources and experience

About us

Working with people, not for people, with the genius of Aboriginal Knowledge.

Download our Cultural Capability Statement

Knowledge

BlackCard’s Aboriginal knowledge strengthens ethical behaviour by enabling people to develop an understanding to undertake the same obligations and responsibilities to Land and to each other as Aboriginal people have practised for thousands of years.

Cultural Tours

The BlackCard offer three unique cultural tours in the heart of Brisbane city. Each tour provides a rare opportunity to learn more about Brisbane’s Aboriginal history through the genius knowledge of Aboriginal tour guides.

Cultural Training

BlackCard’s Cultural Capability Training consists of two important components: (1) face to face workshops and (2) online training. Both are designed to compliment each other and further solidify cultural capability, strengthening ethical behaviour between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

ATR

BlackCard use Aboriginal Terms of Reference (ATR) as a communicational tool in workshops and through our online training portal. While there are a number of ATR, the BlackCard Elders have determined that there are five core and foundational principles.

blackcard team

We are dedicated to building cultural capability to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community.

Dr Lilla WatsonCo-Founder of The BlackCard Pty Ltd

Lilla holds a wealth of knowledge on Aboriginal education, knowledge and culture. Dedicating her career to educating others, both on national and international platforms. Lilla holds a Bachelor of Arts, and has contributed greatly to the world of academia, publishing a host of papers on...Read more

Mundanara BaylesManaging Director and Co-Founder

Mundanara’s cultural heritage is connected to the Wonnarua and Bunjalung people on her mother’s side and the Birri-Gubba and Gungalu on her father’s side. Mundanara grew up in Redfern NSW with her 8 sisters and moved to her father’s country in the early 90’s. Coming from a family that has been...Read more

Dr Mary GrahamAssociate Adjunct Professor (UQ) and Doctor of the University (QUT)

Mary grew up in South-East Queensland, and is a Kombu-merri person through her father’s heritage and a Wakka Wakka clan through her mother’s heritage. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mary has worked across several government agencies, community organisations and universities...Read more

Charlie WatsonBlackCard Workshop Elder

Charlie Watson is a Kangalu and Birri Gubba (Wiri) man who grew up in his Mother's Kangalu Country in Central Queensland. He is the youngest brother of Lilla Watson and he is an important member of the BlackCard team. Charlie's guiding Principles have always been based in Aboriginal Terms...Read more

training & consultancy

BlackCard delivers Cultural education workshops, training & consultancy

Blackcard resources

BlackCard Cultural Tours

Learn the history from Aboriginal people. Your opportunity to experience an authentic, warm and culturally inclusive welcome. You are invited to experience our tours which include Cultural insights, Aboriginal history, Aboriginal art and Aboriginal cultural performance elements. Be entertained by our Didgeridoo player and learn about the oldest musical instruments in the world.

BlackCard Library (Subscription based online resource)

This exclusive knowledge library is made up of over 50 readings, lecture notes and articles that support the BlackCard training experience and take your knowledge further.

BlackCard training courses

BlackCard can deliver cultural education courses from a two hour introductory level workshop, half day, full day workshop or two day accredited course. Our elders only facilitate the half day and full day program.

BlackCard consultancy

We use Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge to work with organisations to help develop their people to better engage with not only Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people but ALL people. Our program can be tailored to meet the organisations RAP outcomes or internal strategic action plans (ie. Indigenous Employment/Engagement Strategies)

BlackCard Online Learning portal

To enrol into BlackCards online learning portal we have developed 3 Core modules, to be completed before enrolling in individual modules. As you complete each module you will collect a BlackCard Badge and after collecting 3 badges you will be able to select any of our individual modules.

Lexicon

Recently BlackCard launched an app called “BlackCard Lexicon” which is an educational resource for people who wish to learn about Aboriginal Culture. It is like a dictionary with an A-Z reference guide that is simple to use and very affordable. Go to the app store if you’re an apple user or Google Play Store for Android.

accreditation

Face to face workshops and full accreditation program, The BlackCard Course and Modules suit individuals who wish to further their knowledge of Aboriginal People & Culture. Our programs can be tailored.

BlackCard can deliver cultural education courses from a two-hour introductory level workshop, half day, full day workshop or two-day accredited course. Our elders only facilitate the half day and full day program.

We use Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge to work with organisations to help develop their people to better engage with not only Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people but ALL people. Our program can be tailored to meet the organisations RAP outcomes or internal strategic action plans (i.e. Indigenous Employment/Engagement Strategies).

This exclusive knowledge library is made up of over 50 readings, lecture notes and articles that support the BlackCard training experience and take your knowledge further.

To enrol into BlackCard’s online learning portal we have developed 3 Core modules to be completed before enrolling in individual modules. As you complete each module you will collect a BlackCard Badge and after collecting 3 badges you will be able to select any of our individual modules.

AWAKENING LEVEL

$ 225 per person plus gst

“Above & Beyond Cultural Awareness” Workshop
2 hour min workshop
up to 20 staff max
Facilitated by Mundanara Bayles

register

AWARENESS LEVEL

$ 350 per person plus gst

“Above & Beyond Cultural Awareness” Workshop
Half Day Program
up to 20 staff max
Facilitated by Mundanara Bayles

register

BLACKCARD ACCREDITATION

$ 1650 per person plus gst

2 Day Intensive Face to Face
2 Day workshop
15 people max
Facilitated by respected elders and Mundanara Bayles

register

News

Latest news and events from The Blackcard

Quarterly newsletter June 2017

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Jul 07, 2017

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter.

We've got lots and lots of exciting new things to share with you, updates on the training

Calling for expressions of interest

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May 23, 2017

Accredited training on offer to be a

Cultural Tour Guide.

All you need is a current resume and a deadly

BlackCard releases new website, online learning portal and smart phone app

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Oct 31, 2016

BlackCard is very proud to present the new BlackCard website, BlackCard Learning Portal and BlackCard Lexicon smart phone app. These have each been developed to give BlackCard’s client’s convenient and faster access to its complete suite of services. The website now contains a secure “Stripe”

Cultural Capability Framework

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Jan 27, 2015

BlackCard have finalised our first ever Cultural Capability Framework which will guide the Commonwealth Bank Group with their recently launched “Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan’. The Framework is based on Aboriginal Terms of Reference (ATR) using Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge, guided by

BlackCard PIR Report

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Jan 27, 2015

BlackCard PIR Report Now Available To The Public…..

BlackCard and Gallang Place have launched a report on “Engaging Elders and community members to improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with long term severe mental health needs. Partners in Recovery (PIR) report was

CONTACT US

Alternatively you can give the office a call on 07 3899 8153 and one of our team members will happily guide you in the right direction

Thank you for contact us.

Blackcard Cultural Tours

working with people

aboriginal knowledge strengthens ethical behaviour

the blackcard