Organisational allyship: A non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander view

In the second episode of this two-part series (listen to part one here), Lisa Hillan, a non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social worker, talks about her experience in working with and alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She advocates for local ownership of services and decisions, ensuring that communities are at the centre of their own development and wellbeing. 

Lisa distinguishes between cultural capability, which she believes non-Indigenous people cannot fully attain, and cultural humility, which involves ongoing learning, listening and respect. She stresses that non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners must acknowledge their limitations and approach their work with humility and openness. 

A key skill for organisational allyship is understanding the specific impacts of colonisation in each locality. Lisa urges organisations to learn the history of Traditional Owners to inform respectful and effective service delivery. She also advocates for shared investment in Aboriginal organisations and highlights the importance of economic empowerment within communities. 

In this episode, you will learn about:  

• what organisational allyship means for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers [06:33] 

• the difference between cultural capability and cultural humility [08:01]

• the impacts of colonisation [11:26]

• ways to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals. [16:06]