Our First Nations community
Queensland has the second largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia with several thousand Indigenous people living in Toowoomba and the surrounding districts. The Indigenous community includes Traditional Owners and Indigenous people from throughout Queensland, the Torres Strait and Australia.
UniSQ strives to improve higher education and employment outcomes for First Nations Australians across our footprint.
The College for First Nations is dedicated to supporting and enabling success for First Nations students through their learning journey. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Education Strategy provides a framework which the University uses to improve the engagement, participation and success in higher education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy also demonstrates our commitment to producing significant research which focuses on working with regional communities to develop shared narratives – past, present and future.
To assist in promoting First Nations cultures and encouraging the further education of First Nations People, we support a number of specialised Indigenous programs, education initiatives and cultural sites:
- Indigenous Student Engagement Programs (Deadly Ways)
- Indigenous Higher Education Pathways Program (IHEPP)
- Cultural Connections
- First Nations Australia undergraduate major
- NAIDOC Art Exhibitions
- Gumbi Gumbi Gardens
UniSQ also acknowledges a number of significant dates in the Australian calendar relating to the history and contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Indigenous employees
UniSQ is committed to increasing culturally safe educational, employment, training and career development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. As part of the UniSQ First Nations Strategic Workforce Framework 2024-2025, UniSQ aims to attract, recruit, retain and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to both academic and professional positions across all areas of the University.
Elders
The participation, advice and experience of Indigenous Elders is highly important within all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In Toowoomba, the local community Elders are members of the Toowoomba Council of Elders Aboriginal Corporation who meet regularly to discuss and address issues relevant to the local Indigenous community.
