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    10 Ways To Be A Genuine Ally To Indigenous Communities

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    sanjana Jha

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    10 Ways To Be A Genuine Ally To Indigenous Communities

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    sanjana Jha
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    10 Ways To Be A Genuine Ally To Indigenous Communities

    Uploaded by

    sanjana Jha

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    10 WAYS TO BE A GENUINE ALLY

    WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES


    Human rights activists stand up for the rights of everyone, everywhere. When we learn that someone’s
    rights have been abused, we jump into action time and time again. What we don’t always do very well is
    reflect on how our presence has impacted the individuals and communities we are standing in support of.
    Sometimes despite our best intentions we have actually done harm without realising it, because we have
    not taken the time to be a genuine ally.

    What does it mean to be a genuine ally?


    Being a genuine ally involves a lot of self reflection, education and listening. It means knowing that we’re
    often coming into this space from a position of power and privilege. Privilege that we’ve gained through
    unjust systems that marginalise the groups we seek to ally with. It’s not enough to just show up in
    solidarity and speak out against the unjust system, we have to do what is within our power to dismantle
    the system and differentiate ourselves from the opponents of these groups. We have to change our own
    behaviours and be mindful that we are not contributing to keeping that system going.

    It’s also important to keep in mind that these groups do not need saviours to come in to fix everything on
    their behalf. They are leading the fight against the injustices they face, as allies we are there to follow
    their lead.

    Why is it important to be an genuine ally?


    Committing to be an ally is not easy, but we cannot change the way our system treats marginalised groups
    without people from the side of power rallying against it. Amnesty International’s Indigenous Rights
    Advisor Rodney Dillon has a few words on why it’s important to be an ally.

    “I think that there’s half a million Indigenous people in Australia. We’ve been flat out campaigning for the
    last 200 years. We’ve done well in some places but not well in other places. We need supporters like you to
    campaigning on these things, talking to pollies, doing this and that. We need people to not only campaign,
    but to understand what’s happened in the past as well. There’s a lot to it, and how we turn that around to
    give people a better understanding of why people have done this.

    It’s important for us as an organisation to be that bridge between two groups. It gives the two people a
    bit of reconciliation and exposure to what the problems are. I think that non-Indigenous peoples support
    and influence can be really really important to make change. These are the people we need on our side. We
    need people who are willing to understand the past so these families have got a safer future. Being an ally
    makes families who understand it richer. The people who put the wall up, I can understand why it’s there,
    but the people who pull it down - they’re the ones we need.”
    Inspired by a similar resource created at Amnesty International USA by Kalaya’an Mendoza.

    For more information about Amnesty International Australia’s work on Indigenous rights, go to:
    www.amnesty.org.au/campaigns/indigenous-justice/
    When working with Indigenous communities there isn’t one way to be an ally as every community and
    individual is different. Every relationship you build needs a different approach. But here are some
    suggestions that will help you to get started.

    1 LISTEN TO & FOLLOW THE COMMUNITY 2 CENTRE THE STORIES AROUND COMMUNITY

    Find out who the traditional owners and Elders A big part of your involvement is to amplify the
    are of the land you are on. When doing long voices of Indigenous communities, don’t make it
    term work on Indigenous rights build strong about yourself. You should directly share these
    relationships within the community and make messages with your networks in their words
    sure everything is Indigenous-led. without alteration.

    3 KNOW THE HISTORICAL & CULTURAL CONTEXT 4 NEVER SHOW UP EMPTY HANDED

    Knowing the history and being culturally Showing up in support is great, but offer to lend
    competent is vital. The issues the community face a hand as well. Use your labour, resources and
    come from hundreds of years of ongoing trauma skills to help out. What additional value can you
    and discrimination. It is not the responsibility of bring the community?
    the community to educate you.

    5 ALWAYS SEEK CONSENT & PERMISSION 6 BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF

    Consent is a continuous process, not a one time Be aware of what resources you’re taking away
    request. Seek permission before taking part in from communities through your presence. Ensure
    community events, particularly around cultural you’ve given back to the community more than
    & spiritual events. They’ll usually be labeled you’ve taken away.
    something like ‘all community & allies welcome’.

    7 KNOW WHEN TO STEP BACK 8 SAVIOURS ARE NOT NEEDED, SOLIDARITY IS

    Be aware of what space you are taking up. Solidarity is only meaningful if it is substantive
    Always remember that you are there as a guest and not merely performative. This means showing
    in a supportive role. There will be times when up to support the community with your presence
    the community need to act alone, respect their alone should be the baseline, not the end game.
    boundaries.

    9 BE MINDFUL OF PEOPLE’S TIME AND ENERGY 10 DO NO HARM TO THE COMMUNITY

    Indigenous people often have to be advocates on The community should be better off or the same
    a wide range of issues that affect them and their because of your presence, not worse. Follow all
    community first hand. They don’t have the choice of these suggestions and keep reflecting on your
    to switch off from being involved and can be behaviour and you’re on your way to doing your
    spread thin in many directions. part in bringing down an unjust system.

    Inspired by a similar resource created at Amnesty International USA by Kalaya’an Mendoza.

    For more information about Amnesty International Australia’s work on Indigenous rights, go to:
    www.amnesty.org.au/campaigns/indigenous-justice/

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