Country Is Curriculum For Cyclic Konnectionz Founder

For CQUniversity alumnus Fiona Mann Bobongie, starting her own First Nations consultancy as a way to facilitate a path towards cultural connection, respect and understanding.

The Mackay resident started Cyclic Konnectionz (CK) in 2018 to create tailored programs that support community engagement, professional growth and reconciliation through culturally-informed frameworks and initiatives in the region. 

CK also delivers cultural capabilities training and development to improve professional spaces through Walk on Country (Country is Curriculum©️), Reconciliation Action Plans, and a personally-developed framework on cultural diversity.  

"For over 15 years, I’ve been delivering professional development, and recognised a significant gap in the way workplaces were approaching cultural capabilities,” Ms Mann Bonbongie said. 

“Cyclic Konnectionz was born out of a desire to fill that gap and help both individuals and organisations develop meaningful cultural understanding and connections."

As a proud Darumbal woman with family ties to New Caledonia and Vanuatu, Fiona attributes the success and core of CK to her First Nations heritage. 

“Cyclic Konnectionz is my heritage. The business operates on First Nations theories, using ancient methodologies of sitting in circles and enacting protocols that have been in place for thousands of years.

“I chose the name Cyclic Konnectionz to represent the cyclical connections between Country, Sea Country, Sky Country, Ancestors, Elders and future generations. It also reflects the interconnectedness with other First Nations peoples and their lands.

"Konnectionz is about connectedness to all of the above – to make movement for our mob," she said. 

"My goal is to make change for my people so that one day, First Nations peoples won’t need to do what I do because the respect for our culture will be ingrained in everyone."

Reflecting on her education, Ms Mann Bonbongie said that gaining a Bachelor of Learning Management (BLM) from CQUniversity had been pivotal to her journey. 

“The BLM enabled me to achieve a teaching degree, but also to build confidence in achieving, believing, accomplishing and futuristic thinking through digital technology. 

“It built a foundation for me to help guide our mob to become stronger, healthier and more resilient.

“I choose CQUniversity for its local, personalised approach - and the small campus environment in Mackay was supportive and empowering. 

"My experience at CQU continues to influence my work today in both my academic and cultural knowledge to drive CK’s mission.”

As CK continues to grow, Ms Mann Bonbongie said she remained focused on relationships, and ensuring that First Nations standpoints and methodologies were authentically represented and respected. 

"To build harmonious relationships and for Reconciliation Action Plans to be truly enacted, these methodologies can only be shared by First Nations peoples.

“They have been enacting the practices for 1000s of years - from the time they took their first breath within family, community and mob.”

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Fiona Mann Bobongie. Photo supplied

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