Your first steps to engaging with Indigenous Australians

No matter where you live in Australia, you are on the lands and waters of Australia’s First Peoples. Credit: Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images

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Connecting with Indigenous Australia can be daunting for a newcomer to the country. So, where do you start? We asked Yawuru woman Shannan Dodson, CEO of the Healing Foundation, about simple ways to engage with First Nations issues and people within your local community.

Key Points

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are comprised of many diverse nations and cultures
Indigenous-led organisations and events offer pathways to engage with First Nations issues and people
Being mindful of your approach includes showing up to learn, listening with an open mind, and asking questions respectfully

How can I learn about my area’s Traditional Owners?
How can I connect with Indigenous Australians?
Where can I find trusted information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia?
What are some Indigenous events and commemorations held in Australia?
How can I be good ally to Australia’s First Nations people?
What if I say something wrong when in conversation with an Indigenous person?

Realising the diversity of Indigenous cultures and communities, is necessary for anyone living in Australia, says Yawuru woman Shannan Dodson, CEO of the Healing Foundation.

“Understanding that there is not just one sort of homogenous culture. There are hundreds of different languages across the country.

“And even being able to educate yourself about that vastness, I think is really important.”

“It's important for anyone living in Australia to understand that Indigenous people have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years,” Shannan Dodson says. Photo: The Healing Foundation.

How can I learn about my area’s Traditional Owners?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia is made up of many different and distinct groups. It’s important to try and find connections with your local community, Ms Dodson says. But how can you find out what Country you live on?

“Understanding where you live and knowing what Country you're on.

“It's very easy these days to find out who the Traditional Owners are in your area.”

For a map of Indigenous Australia and information on your area’s traditional custodians visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website.

How can I connect with Indigenous Australians?

If you’re seeking opportunities to support Indigenous issues and connect with people, look no further than where you live.

“Look at how you can better form relationships with local Aboriginal organisations.

“Whether that may be volunteering, providing some type of support, or even just share information with your peers and family members.”

Narrowing the search to your state or territory, you can learn about Indigenous issues specific to your area.

Some Indigenous organisations focus on issues specific to their state and territory while others work on nationwide Indigenous affairs, for example aged care. Credit: davidf/Getty Images

Where can I find trusted information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia?

There are many reliable resources that you can access online.

Ms Dodson suggests three nationwide sites as starting points:

The Healing Foundation, for information on the history of forcible removal of children, and the ongoing impact for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, for information about local areas and Traditional Owners, resources on language and culture, and historical records.
Reconciliation Australia for information about the reconciliation process in Australia

What are some Indigenous events and commemorations held in Australia?

Attending Indigenous-led events can also offer ways to engage with First Nations cultures and communities.

“There's a lot of opportunities to engage pretty much in every state and territory,” Ms Dodson says.

For example, the National NAIDOC Week celebrations during the first week of July every year.

NAIDOC Week was born out of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in a positive, open and sharing way, not only for those communities, but also for the broader Australian community to be able to celebrate.
Shannan Dodson, CEO of the Healing Foundation

The National Reconciliation Week, is held from 27 May to 3 June marking the 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision anniversaries respectively.

The annual anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples on 13 February precedes the National Sorry Day, observed every year on 26 May.

They both acknowledge the ‘Stolen Generations’ of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families between the mid-1800s and 1980s.

“It is an opportunity to come together as a country to pay respects to the people who suffered at the hands of those policies.

“And also, to understand the ongoing trauma that many communities are still facing.”

It’s easy to make mistakes if you come across a myth or stereotype around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture. Credit: WANDER WOMEN COLLECTIVE/Getty Images

How can I be a good ally to Australia’s First Nations people?

While seeking opportunities to engage with Indigenous Australia, it is important to be mindful of your approach.

How to become a First Nations advocate

“Being a respectful ally or someone who is wanting to learn more, means listening with an open mind, walking beside not leading, and thinking about how you're amplifying those Indigenous voices in a way that they choose and are in control of.”

Ms Dodson shares one piece of advice on how to start.

“Show up with an open heart and open mind.

"Our communities are very welcoming, and we are wanting to share about who we are, our histories, our culture."

If you can show up, that's the first step to building those better relationships.
Shannan Dodson, CEO of the Healing Foundation

Group shot from the February 2025 anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. It includes survivors, descendants, THF staff, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and other community members. Photo: The Healing Foundation

What if I say something wrong when in conversation with an Indigenous person?

Learning about the world’s oldest continuing cultures and understanding all the nuances behind the history of colonisation, takes time and effort.

It’s understandable that non-Indigenous people sometimes have a fear of “getting it wrong or saying the wrong thing”, Ms Dodson says.

“But I don't think that that fear should stop people from engaging.

"Because the whole point is to be open, to be asking questions. And most people would know how to do that in a respectful way.”

First Nations languages: A tapestry of culture and identity

Who are the Stolen Generations?

Australia’s Indigenous education gap and the way forward

Subscribe to or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia.   

Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@sbs.com.au 

Transcript

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SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways across Australia.

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You're listening to Australia Explained, an SBS audio podcast helping you navigate life in Australia.

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I'm Lowanna Grant, executive producer of NITV Radio, and I'll be your host for this special episode of the Australia Explained. If you're new to Australia, you might notice many references to traditional owners, country, or First Nations. Many people settling here want to understand what that means and how to engage in a respectful way. Taking those first steps can feel uncertain, but they're part of learning how to Place works and finding your footing.

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Australia's First Nations people have lived on and cared for this land for more than 60,000 years. Understanding and respecting this connection can help you feel more grounded as you settle into your new home. In this episode, we share simple and meaningful ways to start learning about First Nations cultures and communities, no matter where you live and no matter your English level or background.

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Moving to a new country can be overwhelming. Many migrants want to connect with indigenous cultures but feel unsure about the right way to start. Some worry about saying the wrong thing, while others simply don't know where to begin. So what does a meaningful first step actually look like? We asked Yawuru woman Shannan Dodson, the CEO of the Healing Foundation, to guide us. She says the journey begins with understanding that there is no

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single "indigenous culture", there are actually many.

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There is importance in being able to educate yourself around the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a unique people that have the oldest continuing cultures in the world and understanding that there is not just one sort of homogeneous culture. There's hundreds of different languages across the country and even just to be able to educate yourself about.

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That vastness, I think is really important.

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This first step can be done online in your own time and in plain English. Learning about the diversity of First Nations peoples can make you feel more confident and prepared when you meet people face to face. Once you've taken some time to learn about this diversity, the next step is to understand the country you live on now, the land you walk on, work,

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and raise your family on.

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It's important to try and find some connections with your local community, understanding where you live and knowing what country you're on. It's very easy these days to find out who the traditional owners are in your area, and there are often ways to be able to connect with traditional owners or Aboriginal people in your area, whether it be through

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Aboriginal land councils or cultural centres or other Aboriginal groups that do community events.

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A simple search using the words traditional owners plus your suburb will often give you reliable results. Your local council website is another great place to start. If you're living in a regional area, these websites often list community festivals, local tours, workshops, or family-friendly events.

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For a broader view, every state and territory has indigenous organisations that offer culture-specific resources. These can help you learn at your own pace. Shannon Dodson adds that national organisations can also support you as you start your journey. The list is not exhaustive, but it's a solid place to begin.

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The Healing Foundation is an organisation that supports Stolen Generation survivors

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and stolen generation organisations. There's also the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, which has a great amount of resources around language and culture and historical records. You also have Reconciliation Australia which has information about the reconciliation process in Australia and how we can better relationships between indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

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You might feel more comfortable joining group activities, Shannon says this is a great option.

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Across Australia, there are many community-led events that welcome people from all backgrounds.

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There's NIDOC Week every year in July, which was really born out of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in a really positive, open, and sharing way. We also have Reconciliation Week, end of May, early June.

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And one of the huge events for our organisation is the annual anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations in February, but also Sorry Day, which is in May.

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These events often include music, art, dance, food, and storytelling activities that don't require strong English skills and are often suitable for families. Assefa Bekele from the Sydney Ethiopian Community has experience working with the indigenous community.

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He explains how engaging with First Nations cultures can help you cultivate a sense of belonging.

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It's very important. I used to be a multicultural community liaison officer here in New South Wales. And there must be some sense of belonging for every individual, every citizen, particularly those who came from overseas and the Indigenous Australians who lived here for almost over 60,000 years.

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And it's better to share history, culture and everything, and really develop the sense of belonging and togetherness.

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However, for many new arrivals, there might be a fear of making mistakes. Ms Dodson says that many people, both migrants and long-term Australians, feel nervous about doing or saying the wrong thing.

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I think sometimes there is a fear of getting it wrong or saying the wrong thing, which I understand, but also I don't think that that fear should stop people from engaging because the whole point is to be open, to be asking questions, and most people would know how to do that in a respectful way with anyone. It doesn't matter if you're Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or anyone.

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Building meaningful relationships requires trust and takes time. Listening is the most important skill. No special knowledge needed, but it all starts with one step, Ms Dodson says.

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I think my advice is to show up, to have an open heart and an open mind. Our communities are very welcoming, and we are wanting to share about who we are, our history,

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our culture, our communities, and I think that if you can show up, that's the first step to building those better relationships.

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Whether you've been in Australia for 6 months or 6 years, connecting with Indigenous Australia is not about being perfect. It's about being present, being curious, and being respectful. For many new migrants, it can also be a powerful way to feel more at home.

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Thank you for listening to this episode of Australia Explained, written and produced by Zoe Thomaidou. Sound design and mix is by Maram Ismail, Australia Explained managing editor is Roza Germain, and I'm Luna Grant. Until next time.

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This was an SBS audio podcast. For more Australia explained stories, visit sbs.com.au/Australiaexplained.

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Subscribe or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia. Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@sbs.com.au.

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