How to be a true ally to First Nations educators, children and families

In early education and care spaces, genuine allies help create environments where First Nations educators, families and children feel safe, valued and respected.

In this article, CELA Cultural Consultant Lisa Walker reflects on what true allyship looks like, how it differs from surface gestures, and the vital role leaders play in fostering it.

(Note: Main image at the top of this article depicts Lisa Walker and members of the CELA team at a recent meeting)

True allyship is not only seen but it is also heard and felt throughout a person’s genuine and understanding approach. True allies really make a difference in making me feel welcome, safe, valued and respected to remain in a space or team.

It really is not safe for me to be in spaces where I don’t have any true allies who are willing to stand up for me or alongside me when and where I need them. True allies understand I am looked down on differently due to the colour of my skin and will go the extra mile to ensure my safety and that my voice is heard in the space.

What genuine allyship looks like

Genuine allyship is where you see, hear and feel the human in me and you don’t make assumptions, stereotype me negatively or hold bias about me.
You don’t question who I am as a First Nations person or my ways of knowing, being and doing.
You don’t question how I raise my jarjums when their needs are being met and they are loved and cared for.
You don’t question my different ways of guiding jarjums with their learning when they are developing at their pace and in their individual learning style. You don’t question my identity or connection as a First Nations person.
You are open minded and culturally responsive in your approach. You think about your words and the key messages you want to get across to me before we yarn, and when we yarn you sometimes listen to understand and not always respond. You know the importance of yarning with me and not at me.

True allies versus surface gestures

I can tell the difference between someone who is a true ally and someone who is just doing what might look good or what they’ve been told to do. True allies talk the talk and walk the walk. They focus on both context and content and don’t just tick boxes for show.

True allies are genuine in their connection and understanding. They are relational and not transactional. They don’t add to my colonial load and expectations, they help carry them alongside me without even being asked. They have my back whether I am in the space or not.

True allies encourage me to feel safe in being my whole authentic self when we engage in robust yarns on my reality as a First Nations woman. They don’t shy away from difficult yarns, they sit in it with me and deeply listen to understand my reality.

They are open minded to acknowledging and exploring their privilege and power in how to make a difference for me when I don’t have that entitlement. They prioritise and encourage cultural content in their space, they follow through and hold others accountable where they need to. They ensure I am not on repeat and they don’t expect me to be First Nations when it suits them. They never make me feel tokenistic and untrue to myself or my people.

The role of leaders

Leaders have a big part to play in creating workplaces that foster true allyship. Start by using a strengths-based approach (focus on recognising and building on existing abilities, knowledge, and resources) and be open to truth telling, self reflection and acknowledging your bias, entitlement and privilege as a non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individual and team.

Engage in honest yarns and do some truthful reflections on where you are and where you are not. Ask yourself why you want to learn, grow and change—are you truly doing enough alongside First Nations Peoples?

Leaders with open minds and power must acknowledge allyship as an invaluable and ongoing learning journey which needs time, resources and accountability. If you want to learn more about First Nations Peoples and truly do better, you must see allyship as part of your responsibility and commitment.