First Nations Speaker Series—Jason Ardler

When our value is recognised and our dignity is honoured, we flourish. On the other hand, when our value is denied and our dignity is violated, we suffer. If these indignities aren’t named, acknowledged and redressed, they will fester and create obstacles to our ability to connect with one another.

The words dignity and respect are often used in conversations about social and human rights – sometimes interchangeably. Are they the same thing? Can applying a lens of dignity help us to understand how and why conflict and mistrust arise and the pain they create? What does it mean to treat others with dignity; how should we treat those who are experiencing the trauma of violations to their dignity; what do we do when we ourselves have violated someone’s dignity; and how should we respond when we feel others have violated our dignity?

Co-founder and director of Aboriginal-owned and operated consultancy Thirriwirri, Jason Ardler will explore all of these questions in the context of First Nations policy and the implications for Australia’s future relationship with its First Nations people.

When: Wednesday 27 November, 6.00pm–7.00pm

Where: Museum of Sydney, corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney

Free, registrations recommended online via Museums of History NSW.

The First Nations Speaker Series is presented in collaboration with Museums of History NSW and the Research Centre for Deep History at the Australian National University.

About Jason Ardler

Jason Ardler is a Yuin man from the NSW South Coast.

Jason is the co-founder of Thirriwirri, a 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated consultancy with the purpose of supporting Aboriginal communities and others to work differently, confidently and effectively together to achieve the social, cultural and economic aspirations of Aboriginal peoples.

Jason has held senior executive roles in the public and university sectors, most recently as Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services, at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health. Jason’s previous roles include Head of Aboriginal Affairs NSW, leading government strategy and reform in Aboriginal economic participation, community governance, land rights, culture and heritage, community safety, environmental health and service accountability; and Executive Director of Culture and Heritage in the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Jason has been a member of numerous national and state councils, executive committees and working groups on Aboriginal affairs, state and economic development, public land management, and social policy reform. He is currently Chair of the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Indigenous Evaluation Committee. Jason is also an experienced executive coach, and co-creator and director of First Peoples Leading – a not-for-profit organisation building the leadership capabilities and confidence of First Nations people.

In 2018, Jason received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service. He is a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and in 2019 was awarded the Sir James Wolfensohn Scholarship to undertake an executive leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge. Jason holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of NSW and is a member of the Global Alumni of the Commonwealth Study Conference.