In sharing these resources, it’s important that we acknowledge that non-Aboriginal and non-Torres Strait Island people can never truly know what it’s like to be a First Nations person, and that we can learn from experiences, perspectives and opinions that are not our own. Always was, always will be.
Read
“Explores pre-colonisation Aboriginal life, telling stories of agriculture, engineering and construction.”
~ Chris Vanstone, Chief Innovation Officer
Decolonising methodologies by Linda Tuhiwai Smith
“This explores how non First Nations people can work better alongside Aboriginal communities, and how we can transform white allyship with indigenous communities.”
~ lauren anseline, Senior Social Innovator
“A great read and visual experience, especially if you’re new to Australia and interested in the significance of the Traditional Owners.”
~ Barbara Binns, Senior Social Innovator
“This story is all about connecting with country and language. I found the book really powerful, and it got me trying to sound out words and sounds of Wiradjuri language as I read.”
~ Pip Bergin, Social Innovator
Traditional Healers of the Central Desert: Ngangkari by NPY Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation
“I’m reading this now – healing is a strong part of Aboriginal culture and I’m loving learning about this.”
~ Bathsheba Adams, Communications and Engagement Lead
“This is the book that I needed to understand the journey to creating the Statement, and the change it can make for Australia as a whole.”
~ Leanne McPhee, Senior Social Innovator
Talking to My Country by Stan Grant
“Powerful and accessible history and a plea for a brighter future.”
~ Jess Nitschke, Project Support Coordinator
Listen
Together as a team, we’ve made a Spotify playlist with First Nations songs. Music and song play a huge part in the cultures of First Nations communities and peoples, and on this day of mourning for many, music may also be a way to heal.
Here are some of the tunes we’re particularly loving right now:
From Little Things Big Things Grow by Kev Carmody performed by Electric Fields
“Uplifting yet sorrowful, a powerful message for change.”
~ Barbara Binns, Senior Social Innovator
Message for Young and Old by Bart Willoughby performed by Tony Lovett with family & friends
“It’s special to me since it’s sung by Uncle Tony, a client/partner who we’ve built a strong relationship with. It talks to the suicide of Aboriginal young people.”
~ Alazne Alberdi Alvaro, Senior Social Innovator
Marryuna by Baker Boy feat Yirrmal
“I was at Golden Plains festival in 2018 sitting back while a hip hop band was on next, I was all like “meh, I’m not into hip hop”. Until Baker Boy danced onto the stage, he brings the most incredible energy and was rapping in Yolngu, totally blew me away. Marryuna in Yolngu means ‘let’s dance’.”
~ Pip Bergin, Social Innovator
Djarridjarri (Blue Flag) album from Saltwater Band
“One of the trailblazing Indigenous bands, singing largely in language. Top End reggae at its best!”
~ Jess Nitschke, Project Support Coordinator
Ilkari Maru (Black Sky) album by Ilkari Maru
“I’m listening to this heaps at the moment. The songs are so enjoyable to listen to, beautiful and super unique, as well as being a vehicle for some very personal messages from community.”
~ Anna Langdon, Senior Social Innovator
“This is heaps of fun. I love hearing all the Countries and language groups called out in the song (Arrernte, Luritja, Warlpiri).”
~ Anna Langdon, Senior Social Innovator
Watch
Follow
We follow loads of First Nations peoples on social media; it’s an amazing way to hear rich stories of diverse cultural experiences. Here are just some:
- Writer, queer woman, parent and abolitionist Nayuka Gorrie
- Rapper Barkaa
- Rapper, dancer, artist, and advocate DRMNGNOW
- Astrophysicist Karlie Noon
- Jewellery designer and political fashion statement maker Haus of Dizzy
- Model Magnolia Maymuru
- Artist and musician Maanyung
- Writer, mentor, speaker Ella Noah Bancroft
- Black Rainbow, a platform for national voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual, sistergirl & brotherboy (transgender) and queer people
Learn
Attending NAIDOC events is an amazing way to show allyship. NAIDOC is in July but in the meantime, we can’t recommend the NAIDOC toolkit more highly. It’s an incredible resource to use with your organisation to inform and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and influence, and this year’s theme “For our Elders” has rich meaning.
We also highly recommend the resources section on the Reconciliation Week website, particularly this article that explains the importance of the 2000 Reconciliation Bridge Walks, a day when Australia realised that RAP plans needed to be actioned.
Think
In 2022, the TACSI team created some practical prompts to help non-Aboriginal and non-Torres Strait Islander organisations engage with First Nations Peoples.
We called these prompts the Many Threads of Allyship, and they’re designed to weave together throughout an organisation to promote Allyship.
All this is based on our understanding of what it means to be a good Ally in 2022. It’s just a start; we expect to revise and update, and we always welcome feedback.
