First Nations Consultant & Aboriginal Artist Maria Watson-Trudgett
Koori woman of the Wiradyuri people
Maria Watson-Trudgett is an independent First Nations Consultant and Aboriginal artist, with over 30 years’ experience in community and stakeholder engagement, based in Brisbane and residing on Yuggerah Country.
As a First Nations consultant and Aboriginal cultural consultant, Maria has extensive experience in organisational Change Management, cultural safety principles, and implementation of culturally aligned systems and frameworks, including workplace policy and practice.
Maria has the First Nations Leadership expertise to guide organisations through change processes at all stages, and empower culturally aligned approaches and respectful working relationships with First Nations peoples and communities.
MARIA HAS WORKED WITH THESE TRUSTED CLIENTS & INDUSTRIES
Strategic First Nations Guidance for Culturally Safe Organisations
Maria works with national organisations to strengthen their cultural awareness and biases, assumptions, and perspectives, to develop cultural capability, create culturally safe working environments and enhance effective communication skills.
Maria provides strategic direction and ongoing guidance throughout each project, drawing on her First Nations perspectives, knowledge of traditional engagement practices and professional qualifications, including a Bachelor of Social Science (Community Welfare and Human Services).
Her work includes development and implementation of First Nations strategies and frameworks, Reconciliation Action Plans, review and evaluation of HR and workplace polices, and all programs and initiatives aimed at improving engagement and access of First Nations peoples.
In addition to her consulting practice, Maria is an accomplished professional Aboriginal artist. Her artwork has been exhibited nationally, including at Parliament House, and is featured on NAIDOC merchandise, RAP documents, and within organisations and private collections in Australia and internationally.
Maria also provides guidance on Indigenous cultural intellectual property, copyright licensing, and ethical collaboration, supporting organisations to engage respectfully with First Nations artists.
Maria’s branding
The logo is a symbolised representation of Maria Watson-Trudgett’s skills, knowledge and service offerings as an independent First Nations consultant and professional Aboriginal artist.
The three concentric circles represent the many layers of Maria’s capabilities, having a deep knowledge of traditional engagement practices, cultural safety principals and integrity to her Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The four U-shapes represent four key aspects of her work:
Developing culturally aligned and inclusive organisations
Preserving cultural traditions through artworks
Supporting cultural insights via artist talks and painting workshops
Collaborations and copyright licensing of Artworks