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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

Locate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars, research publications, voices and knowledges in your field of study.

Cultural competency

Uluru Statement from the Heart

uluru statement with signatures on artworkIn 2017 a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from around Australia produced the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This landmark document calls for recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty, constitutional reform, a Makaratta (Treaty), truth-telling, and a voice to Parliament. Explore the Statement and its background.

"File:Uluru Statement.jpg" by BrownHoneyAnt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Book cover attribution

Mayor, T. (2019). Finding the heart of the nation: the journey of the Uluru Statement towards voice, treaty and truth Hardie Grant Travel. Cover image © Tourism Australia. All rights reserved.

Cultural capability training

Become an ally

Cultural safety and content warnings

Cultural safety

In the RMIT context, cultural safety means more than avoiding offence and hurt. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a culturally safe environment also includes access to education and research which embodies familiar cultural values and norms. For people from other diverse cultures, these norms may be different from their own.

Cultural sensitivity warnings

Below is a selection of general cultural sensitivity warnings you might consider adding to material or content you create:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website may contain images, voices and footage of deceased persons.
  • Users are warned that there may be words and descriptions that may be culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts.
  • Terms and annotations that reflect the attitude of the author or the period in which the item was written, may be considered inappropriate today.

The warnings are generic and can be modified to include identification of the specific content that will be addressed.

Self-care

It is important to practice self-care when learning about the history of Australian Government policies on the protection, integration and assimilation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This history may be new to some students, while others may have more experience with this content.

You may find some material confronting and experience unexpected emotions and behaviours. It is important to support yourself. Some suggestions include:

  • Take time to debrief and respond to emotions through talking with others, whether a counsellor, peer, family member or friend.
  • Be aware of health services that can provide support and are available in your community, such as RMIT Counselling and Psychological Services.