Fortescue’s First Swagging On Country

Led by Aboriginal Development Superintendent Andrea Lockyer, Fortescue’s Hedland Operations team are the first mining group to experience Swagging On Country. Guided by Margie Stewart and her renowned Elders Stephen Stewart, Irene Roberts and Biddy Norman, the Fortescue group have been deeply impacted by the wisdom, open-hearted sharing, story-telling and nature adventure experiences on the stunning Aboriginal community reserve.

Participants joined in making damper, fishing, cooking over the fire, and sharing their perspectives on today’s closing the gap issues in the workplace and community. Elders and their granddaughter Cynthia Coppin (Fortescue employee) shared candidly the need for more to be done to support Aboriginal employees to feel safe and comfortable about taking time off for lore and sorry time.

All of us present at these powerful few days knew that we had been part of something very special. In the closing circle, Fortescue participants shared that they were deeply moved by the experience of Swagging On Country and could now see through different eyes. They spoke of their new understanding about the importance of working together to create improved solutions for Aboriginal employees to better straddle the challenges of their work and family cultural obligations.

One of the key outcomes is that now, Fortescue leaders are listening deeply. Thank-you to our amazing Swagging On Country team, Fortescue for leading the way for other mining companies, and to Margie, Irene, Stephen, Biddy, Gaston and Cynthia for sharing their beautiful country with us all.