I attended Small Things Done Exceptionally Well with curiosity and left deeply moved. I’m not a builder, architect, or designer, but as an Aboriginal woman, I was drawn in by the conversations about care, intention, and connection - values that resonate strongly with our own ways of knowing and being on Country.

What resonated most was how the speakers spoke about design and construction not just as technical acts, but as practices of respect - for materials, for place, and for people. It reminded me of the way our Old People teach us to observe, listen, and work with the land rather than over it.

The space held a warm, relaxed atmosphere, ideal for meeting new people and sharing stories, ideas and perspectives. It was refreshing to see professionals taking the time to talk about doing things well, not just fast, or cheap. That simple principle - small things done with care - reflects the same philosophy our First Nations communities hold: that everything we do leaves an imprint, and that caring for place is caring for each other, now and into the future.

For me, this event showed that when we slow down, listen to Country, and act with purposeful intent based on respect, we create spaces that hold meaning. Even though I’m not from the industry, I felt completely included - and inspired.