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 Nations people and each other.
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 First Nations and non-First Nations people.
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.
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.
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.