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.
To be an ally to First Nations people, you need to show solidarity. Solidarity is about working together for the greater good 365 days a year.
The best allyship is active, consistent and meaningful. It involves listening, learning and unlearning, and building relationships with First Nations community that are grounded in truth and accountability.
Being an ally isn’t about speaking for First Nations people – it’s about deep listening to First Nations people who have accumulated a wealth of knowledge over 80,000+ years.
We have solutions to many challenges we face, but are often under-resourced or not listened to. Self-determination of First Nations people is crucial, and allies need to understand the importance of this.
Deep and ongoing impacts of colonisation continue to attempt to remove self-determination and make decisions for First Nations people, without First Nations people in the room.
There are countless active and staunch First Nations voices advocating for change. For example, Common Ground is led by a First Nations team and board, and we've worked with over 100 First Nations contributors, storytellers and creatives across the continent.
Meet the Common Ground team, board and contributor network
Western education systems have failed First Nations people and cultures in many ways. The school curriculum has not always included First Nations histories and perspectives, especially in meaningful ways.
Today there are many First Nations people creating educational resources, often for free. As an ally, it’s your responsibility to research, learn, unlearn and relearn the true histories of this continent.
A great place to start is through Common Ground's learning resources including our NAIDOC Week related resources Keep The Fire Burning in 2024 and For Our Elders in 2023.
Explore Common Ground's educational resources here
There are countless ways you can take action as an ally to First Nations people – to start with here are a few.
Take action and attend rallies and events – there are events all year round and specifically on 26 January from dawn services to Invasion Day rallies in each capital city.
In some cities, a community event is held afterwards, such as Yabun on Gadigal Land and Share the Spirit in Naarm which both host cultural activities, First Nations market stalls, food, and live music.
True allyship can at times be uncomfortable through having difficult conversations and holding others (and yourself) accountable. It’s not enough to be against racism in theory.
Being an ally is about using your privilege to challenge racism in all settings including online, in the office, or at the dinner table.
We all live on stolen land. Paying the rent means economic justice for First Nations people and communities – whose land we live, work and play on. It’s about backing First Nations people, campaigns and organisations so we can create futures where every person thrives.
Ways you can do this is by donating to a First Nations-led organisation such as:
We encourage you to continue to find more ways to support driving change and actively showing meaningful and positive allyship.
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.
