7 ways to support our Indigenous community this Reconciliation Week and beyond.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. It's an opportunity to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. 

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024 is Now More Than Ever. It's a powerful call to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.

As part of this journey, non-Indigenous allyship plays a critical role. Allyship is more than passive support; it requires active efforts to support, respect and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of Indigenous people.

Carla Rogers, from Evolve Communities, is non-Indigenous and has dedicated her career and business to allyship, alongside Aboriginal Elder Aunty Munya Andrews. She tells Mamamia that at its heart, allyship is about committing to listen, learn and act in ways that support and empower Indigenous people and communities. 

"People worry about being tokenistic," says Carla. "This fear of doing the wrong thing only serves to hold people back. Allyship takes courage, and you will make mistakes, I've made plenty. The important thing is to learn from them and to keep going."

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"Being an Ally means we help carry the 'cultural load' Indigenous people bear. Imagine the continuous effort to carry, maintain and share cultural knowledge, to speak about the experiences of mob and the impacts of colonisation and racism, to fight for reconciliation, often in the face of ongoing challenges and injustices."

As she notes, meaningful change comes from everyday actions. This can include understanding the impacts of our shared history, redressing the resulting privilege gap, and finding a way to move forward together. 

About three per cent of the Australian population are Indigenous. Carla said if you were in a room with 30 people, only one would be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

"We can't leave it to that one person to champion reconciliation. We know many people would like to help, but they lack the confidence to take action and are afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. The most powerful step towards reconciliation is the willingness of people to take the first steps towards change."

7 easy ways you can support our Indigenous community.

1. Learn about Indigenous history and contemporary issues.

Education is the cornerstone of effective allyship. Learning about our shared history in Australia, including the impacts of colonisation, and recognising the resilience and diversity of Indigenous cultures is a great first step. 

"Resources such as the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia, documentaries, books and online courses can provide valuable insights," says Carla.

2. Support Indigenous businesses.

"Choose to buy from and promote Indigenous-owned businesses, whether it's art, clothing, food or services. Using platforms like Supply Nation are great places to find Indigenous enterprises to support and buy from. If you love what you've bought tell your friends and post on social media."

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3: Do cultural competence training.

We can all benefit from understanding Indigenous perspectives and learning how to interact respectfully with Indigenous cultures. Many businesses, including Evolve Communities, have created online courses, training programs, tools, and free resources to guide us on this journey.

4: Promote and attend Indigenous events.

"Events like NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, art exhibitions, and public lectures can enrich our understanding and show our support for Indigenous visibility and voice in the community."

5: Advocate for Indigenous rights.

Use your voice to support policies and initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities by writing to your local MP, joining campaigns, or supporting Indigenous-led organisations working towards legal and policy changes. 

As Carla adds: "Every bit of advocacy and allyship helps make a difference. The more voices being heard, the closer we move to reconciliation."

6: Respectfully share Indigenous cultures.

"Talk about what you learn with family and friends by sharing what you learn during cultural competence training, read books, talk to Indigenous people about their stories in a culturally sensitive way. It's like the saying 'knowledge is power'. When we better understand our friends, take the time to learn about their lives and history, we can be powerful allies," she notes.

"Having conversations about the issues, unpacking your cultural baggage and learning about Australia's Indigenous history, sharing their stories, articles, or social media posts, is a way to share the cultural load so more people understand what is at stake."

7: Volunteer your time.

Volunteering with organisations that support Indigenous communities is not only an opportunity to build friendships but it's also a chance to learn more about local Indigenous communities. 

This could be at local community events, helping out with programs that focus on health, education, or legal support, or contributing to projects that protect sacred sites. Ultimately, time is one of the most powerful resources we have.

"When we put one foot in front of the other towards reconciliation, we realise that our similarities outweigh our differences and that we all have a part to play," Carla explains.

"Every Australian can contribute to a reconciled nation where Indigenous rights are not only recognised, but celebrated. Allyship isn't just for the few; it's a responsibility and privilege that belongs to all of us. It's about making a commitment to stand with our Indigenous communities — not just in word, but in deed — now more than ever."

Carla Rogers is the founder and co-Director of Evolve Communities, alongside Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Munya Andrews and their team of accredited facilitators. They provide cultural awareness training and Ally Accreditation to Australian businesses and leaders. They won the 2024 National Telstra Best of Business Award for Building Communities. For more from Evolve Communities you can see their website here, Instagram, and see their books here. 

Feature Image: Supplied.