Alcan’s major Gove Expansion Project (G3), discussed in last year’s report, highlighted the need to maintain strong relationships with community neighbours in the adjacent town of Nhulunbuy. Building on its already strong relationship with the Traditional Land Owners, the Yolngu, the Alcan team engaged in extensive consultations with the local community from the start of the expansion project.

A priority was to manage the social impact on the town of Nhulunbuy (population 4,000) from the influx of 1,700 construction workers. The Indigenous people in this area, known as Arnhem Land, have a strong and deep culture and it was imperative that the new workforce be integrated with the local community in a way that was acceptable to the Traditional Land Owners.

Integrating Employees through Cultural Awareness
Based on its social values and its desire to minimize the social impacts of the influx, Alcan developed a Cross-Cultural Awareness Course as a first step toward ensuring community harmony. Alcan Gove worked with the Yothu Yindi Foundation (a non-profit Indigenous organization) to design and deliver the course, which all employees are expected to attend. It helps integrate Alcan employees into the community by promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the local Yolngu people and culture.

Course instructors, including senior indigenous people from the Foundation, outline the history of the Yolngu people, the family system, common Yolngu words and phrases, and the importance of respecting traditional ownership of the land. Traditional songs and Yidaki (didgeridoo) are also shared with newcomers.

Alcan Gove covers all course costs, representing an investment of close to AUD260,000 in 2006. Aside from Alcan Gove employees, other stakeholders who benefit from the cultural awareness course include Traditional Land Owners, the Northern Territory Government, residents of Nhulunbuy and the surrounding region, and the Northern Land Council (prescribed by the 1976 Land Rights Act to act on behalf of the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land). In 2006, more than 1,000 individuals attended the course, in addition to the 2,275 employees who attended in 2003-2005.

Results
Employees have gained a greater understanding and respect for the Indigenous people of the region and the Yolngu culture. The program is helping Alcan employees integrate into the community, maintaining and enhancing Alcan’s reputation and ensuring continued strong relationships with Traditional Land Owners. Alcan’s investment in the course has also created a business opportunity for the Yothu Yindi Foundation, with other businesses expressing interest in using its expertise in Indigenous cultural education.

Value Creation Summary
Tangible Value Creation	Broader Value Creation
For Alcan	For Alcan
•  Social license to operate in Australia’s Northern Territory.	•  Enhanced image and reputation in an important and expanding operating area. •  Enhanced relationships with Yolngu Traditional Land Owners, Indigenous population, community, and organizations. •  Enhanced employee awareness of the Yolngu culture.
For Stakeholders	For Stakeholders
•  Program development funding and potential business opportunities from Alcan’s AUD600,000 investment.	•  Enhanced cultural awareness.