Gracie is a valued team member, a Yuwallari woman and an Elder within her community. She enjoys sharing her culture with her colleagues and feels proud that she has contributed to a better understanding of her people.

Gracie is a valued team member, a Yuwallari woman and an Elder within her community. She enjoys sharing her culture with her colleagues and feels proud that she has contributed to a better understanding of her people. Gracie is an active member of her community and contributes to a range of social and cultural activities. She has been granted a week of special leave to assist in planning activities for Sorry Day. 

You overhear two other team members discussing how unfair it is that Gracie has been given special leave saying, “I don’t know why Sorry Day is such a big deal anyway. That stuff happened ages ago! We can’t keep living in the past.” 

Later that day, you call the staff members into a private room to address the comments.

1. Are there any legal or ethical considerations that have been breached? 

2. What advice would you give the staff members regarding their comments and how it affects their students and colleagues, so they can see Gracie’s special leave as worthwhile and become more supportive of Gracie’s attendance at Sorry Day activities? 

3. How would you address the potential information needs of these people and the impacts of the discrimination? 

4. Recommend at least two (2) types of resources or assistance that should be sought to address the issues identified.