This week (and every week) we stand in solidarity with First Nations families and invite you to do the same.
We acknowledge First Nations people as the traditional custodians of the land, the sky, the sea and the waterways across this country. Their sovereignty was never ceded and their cultural knowledge and enduring connection to Country has a vital role to play in addressing the climate crisis. Effective climate solutions must include First Nations justice.
Photo by Stewart Munro on Unsplash
We acknowledge key dates throughout the year (such as Jan 26th, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week) as opportunities to stand up as allies and show our support for First Nations justice. We also acknowledge that being an ally involves every day actions and goes beyond these dates alone.
What can we do as allies to be supportive?
Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network have recently released an excellent guide: "How to Be a Better Ally to First Nations People".
You can downlaod the guide here
Below is a list of actions inspired by Tish King, Dr Virginia Marshall, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts and Roxy Moore from a 2023 Groundswell Giving Truth Telling and Healing webinar -
- Acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where you live and work, learn the traditional name/s of these places and encourage your family members, friends and colleagues to do the same. You can find out whose country you are on here
- Participate in truth-telling - be informed by First Nations voices about the history of our country. Share what you learn with your family and friends. Acknowledging the truth of our past is an important step in moving forward together.
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Amplify the voices of First Nations leaders by sharing their stories (in their own words) on your social media channels. Let First Nations people tell their own stories. Share messages that centre First Nations strength, solutions, community and culture.
- Connect with your local First Nations community - let them know you stand with them and be willing to listen and learn.
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Attend a First Nations led event in your community to show your support and solidarity. If you can’t make it to an event consider donating to support a First Nations justice or climate action campaign (see some suggestions below).
Can’t get to an event but want to show your support?
Here is a small selection of First Nations led organisations and campaigns that are directly supporting First Nations families and communities - your donation is one of the many ways you can show solidarity.
Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network - a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people working to make climate justice real for First Nations people.
Martuwarra Fitzroy River - support the Riverkeepers to protect Martuwarra, one of the last intact river systems on Earth.
Our Islands Our Home - a campaign led by Torres Strait Islanders to protect their island homes from climate impacts
Save Our Songlines - Traditional Custodians of Murujuga (Burrup Pensinsula) working to protect their Songlines, rock art, health and climate from destructive industries.
Gudanji for Country - protecting their homelands on the Gudanji Nation from the threat of fracking.
Common Ground - an organisation working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, truth-telling, cultures and stories.
Children’s Ground - an organisation led by First Nations communities that addresses the determinants for social, cultural and economic wellbeing. Children's Groun directly supports First Nations children and families.
The Dhadjowa Foundation - supporting First Nations families affected by deaths in custody.
National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition - NIYEC backs the voice and agency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and students to reclaim and drive the next generation of Indigenous Education.
By showing solidarity with First Nations families and communities on key dates and every other day, we are honouring the care and custodianship shown to our natural environment over tens of thousands of years and we can play a part in creating a more equitable society and safer climate for all.
Thank you for standing with us.
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash