A program that’s making First Nations culture accessible to all Australians is being embraced by organisations around the country.
The cultural humility training, led by Stuart McMinn of Gawura Cultural Immersions, creates awareness and knowledge about First Nations cultural practices and makes it relevant in a professional setting.
Mr McMinn, from the Dharug (Sydney) and Gubbi Gubbi (near Gympie in Queensland) Nations, said: “It’s important to build positive race relations in a way that's strength-based, not punitive.
“In the past, people have been scared to do this type of training because they feel like they get punched in the guts for two and a half days and they walk away going: ‘I don't feel good.’
“I want participants to feel empowered.”
Mr McMinn has been providing cultural training including immersive camps, school-based sessions and workshops for all types of organisations — from large corporates to not for profits — for more than 20 years.
“My experience comes from deep cultural knowledge that's been gathered by sitting with elders and knowledge-holders in country: doing ceremony and lived cultural practice,” he said.
“Our ability to translate that into whatever industry we're working with sets us apart.
“If we look at something like stolen wages and we're working with banks whose people are wrestling with that period of history, we can explore that more deeply.
“If you're getting government contracts and employing First Nations people, we can advise on how to maintain your staffing in a culturally safe way.
“Each session affects people differently, but the outcome is usually the same: people walk away going ‘wow, I didn't know this’.”
The training is designed to communicate the perspectives and historical views of First Nations people in a way that's inclusive and palatable.
“We want to help people fully understand the experiences of First Nations people,” Mr McMinn said.
“Often, cultural training is like a history lesson, and what people don't necessarily get in that process is the 120,000 years of cultural practice before colonialism, which gives people the ‘why?’
“'Why do we see what we see in today's context? Why has colonialism had such a big impact on First Nations Australians, and what do we do about that?'
“We don't shy away from the truth, but we lay down good foundations and build safe relationships before we touch on some of the heavier stuff.
“It’s so important to make participants feel comfortable so they can understand without feeling blamed.”
Face-to-face sessions work best.
“In person, we have whiteboards and can pivot more easily if the session needs to take a different direction,” Mr McMinn said.
Australian Industry Group has partnered with Gawura Cultural Immersions to provide training for our people around the country.
Belinda Woods, our Chief People and Safety Officer, said feedback was excellent and many of our people found it an enriching experience.
“Employees said the real-life experiences Stuart shared made them more understanding and aware,” she said.
“It is an opportunity for all people to broaden their own learning in this space and put in place practical actions that can make a difference in the workplace. I found it incredibly interesting and enlightening, and I am personally very grateful for Stuart’s generosity in sharing his own personal experiences.”
“The ultimate goal is to make our training accessible,” Mr McMinn said.
“We do that. I'm passionate about it, and because of that, we get great results.
“All Australians should develop a deeper understanding of First Nations culture, because when we do, we don't lose 250 years of history, we gain 120,000 years.”
Australian Industry Group is proud to partner with Gawura Cultural Immersions to provide cultural humility training. Find out more here.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at Australian Industry Group.
A former journalist for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK, she is passionate about giving businesses a voice.
