We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
This International Women's Day and everyday, Common Ground celebrates the inspiring First Nations women and gender diverse changemakers and storytellers we work with.
We’re forever grateful to have a network of inspiring people who share their wisdom with us and the broader community in the journey to drive change. Meet some of the incredible First Nations women and gender diverse changemakers and storytellers we've worked with over the past year.
In July 2024, we launched our second Dreamy series featuring beautiful stories from Kirli Saunders and Nayuka Gorrie, which were accompanied with artwork from Carmen Glynn-Baunn.
Carmen is a Kaytetye, Anmatyerr and Arrernte artist that worked on the artworks which accompanied each story shared through Dreamy.
Kirli is a proud Gunai woman, with Yuin, Dharawal, Gundungurra and Biripi ties. She is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and consultant, and through Dreamy, shares Buungbaa-ma-ndhu which centres Gundungurra language.
Nayuka is a Gunnai/Kurnai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta writer and educator living on Wurundjeri country. Through Dreamy, Nayuka shares a reflective story called Land, the Sky, the Fire and I.
Listen to Land, the Sky, the Fire and I
Grounded Story is designed to strengthen the storytelling ecosystem by building power, relationships and pathways for early-stage First Nations Creatives to create and share a storytelling project.
Meet our Grounded storytellers.
Molly is a multi-faceted Balanggarra and Yolngu woman, from Wyndham, Kimberley, Western Australia.
Penelope is an 11 year old Wiradjuri and Palawa changemaker living with yindyamarra (respect) on Dharawal Country. Episode 4 of Towney Time was created through Grounded Story.
Watch Towney Time Episode 4: Wandaang:Spirit
Rhianna is a proud Butchulla and Kamilaroi writer, filmmaker and artist.
Creators Circle is a small group of First Nations storytellers who work closely with Common Ground to dream up and create content, projects and collaborations. We provide spaces for individuals and collectives to share their stories, their ways.
Meet some of our Creators Circle storytellers.
Lala is a proud Meuram woman from Erub Island in the Torres Strait. As well as being a cultural knowledge holder, Lala is also a fisherwoman, a composer, a mother, a community organiser, working to become a certified linguist, and a strong advocate for the cultural rights of her people and families.
Lucy is a storyteller of Koori and Quechua heritage living and creating on Gadigal land. Her work explores themes of heritage, memory, ancestral trauma and moving towards healing.
Pearl is a proud Yankunytjatjara woman, is an emerging writer and filmmaker based in Adelaide.
Safiah is a Badimaya Yamatji woman based in Naarm and Boorloo. Safiah is a content creator, photographer and filmmaker with a strong focus in documentary film and photography.
Taneisha is a Yorta Yorta and Bangerang woman and freelance writer, music journalist and emerging poet.
Common Ground works with First Nations contributors from across the continent.
Meet a number of First Nations woman and gender diverse contributors we've worked with over the past year.
Celeste is an Arrernte woman, a writer, social commentator and critic, a union and community organiser.
Read Celeste's article on Closing the Gap: The Duality of Health and Anti-Racism
Cherisse is an Arrernte/Arabunna woman raised in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), she has deep blood connection to Kaytetye and Anmatyer Mob. She is a mother, a dedicated midwife, and a Managing Director and Co-founder of SpeakWrite Consulting.
Read Cherrise's article Opposing The Reintroduction of Spithoods
Jayde is a proud Gurindji and Woolwonga woman from the Northern Territory. As an artist, she specialises in vibrant colours, utilising dot painting and other contemporary techniques to paint the natural world.
Read Jayde's reflection of a painting she did of the Central Australian palm tree (Livistona mariae)
Jordyn is a proud Wiradjuri, Ngemba and Paakantji woman and primary school teacher. She is the Aboriginal Education Coordinator at a school on Bundjalung Country, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Jordyn is also the founder of the Yulang Effect.
Learn more about a range of teaching resource Jordyn has worked with Common Ground on
Madeline is a proud Gomeroi woman and First Nations journalist and activist who is passionate about mob telling their own stories.
Read Madeline's article on what NAIDOC is
Madeline is a proud Trawlwoolway, Plangermaireener (Palawa), Mutti Mutti, Wadi Wadi, Wemba Wemba, and Wotjobaluk (Koorie) Aboriginal woman. Madeline has learnt different ways to advocate, organise and stand in solidarity with different people across the world and Australia.
Read Madeline's article Solidarity in Nipaluna/Hobart
Maggie is a proud young palawa woman from lutruwita/Tasmania. She works in law reform and policy development, advocating for Indigenous self-determination, sovereignty and land rights.
Learn more about Maggie and read her articles
Marley is a Njamal (Pilbara region) and Japanese woman who grew up predominantly in lutruwita.
Read Marley's reflections on the recent anniversary of the National Apology
Michelle is a proud Arrernte and Luritja woman, and storyteller through her art and words capturing the very essence of various spaces, people and Countries.
Read Michelle's reflections on the strength of First Nations youth
Sissy is a Gunditjmara, Keerraay Woorroong, Djab Wurrung woman and recently started Take Back The Track.
Read Sissy's letter to her nan from last International Women's Day
Talia is an Arrernte, Luritja and Yankunytjatjara woman and presenter, host, content creator and emerging filmmaker.
Learn more about and explore Common Ground projects Talia has worked on
Tahnee is a proud Yorta Yorta & Taungurung woman, designer, business owner, and community worker based in Naarm/Melbourne. Tahnee also runs Gammin Threads.
Learn more Thanet's work through Gammin Threads: Empowering Mob Through Fashion
Teela is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman born and raised on her Country. Teela is a land rights lawyer, Professor at the University of Sydney Law School and the co-founder of @blackfulla_bookclub, a platform that celebrates First Nations Ancestors as the original storytellers.
Read Teela's article Reckoning with the Rule of Law about the Wiradjuri War
Brooke is a Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar woman, and proud mother. As a producer and writer, Brooke is creating opportunities for authentic representation for those who have been marginalised in media, such as stories of First Nations people and LGBTQIA+.
Jazz Money is a Wiradjuri poet and artist whose practice is centred around poetics to produce works that encompass installation, performance, film and print.
Lulkbudia is a proud Miriwoong Gajerrong person from Kununurra in the East Kimberley. They are an artist, DJ, youth worker and event producer organising around Queer Blak joy in regional, remote and metro WA.
Lunda-June is a proud Wiradjuri and Badulaig woman, activist, academic and PhD candidate from Erambie, Cowra NSW. Passionate advocate for justice, self-determination and revitalising Indigenous governance as practice, having initiated and co-created the Wiradjuri Buyaa (Law) Council in 2018. Spanning over two decades, she has also co-organised many national campaigns directly targeting systemic racism.
Renee is a Saibai, Kerema and Daru woman from Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and Papua New Guinea.
She is a trained Science and Maths high school teacher and a o-founding member of the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC).
Rona is a Kaytetye woman who grew up in Mparntwe on Arrernte Country. She was the founding CEO of Common Ground, and is now a Board Director of Common Ground and Director of First Nations Futures.
Gemma is a Wiradyuri, Ngemba and Paakantji woman from a small coastal town on Worimi Country. She’s a freelance writer, support worker for people with disabilities in her local area, and the CEO at Common Ground.
Katena was born and raised on Larrakia Country. Her mob are originally from Nyikina Country (Kimberley region) and Wakaya Country (Barkley region). Katena is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Common Ground.
Vanessa Morris is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri woman who grew up on Yorta Yorta Country and resides on Wurundjeri country. Vanessa is Common Ground's Communication Director and a radio broadcaster.
Read Vanessa's recent reflections on Yorta Yorta Day of Mourning and Self-determined Sovereignty
We are a First Nations not-for-profit that exists to centre First Nations people, Country and truth-telling. We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
