Balancing cultural and workplace responsibilities can be uniquely stressful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in non-First Nations organisations. To address this pressure in Australia’s emergency management, land management and disaster resilience sectors, Monash University’s National Indigenous Disaster Resilience (NIDR) program has launched a national survey to better understand the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and volunteers in this workforce.
Developed in partnership with Natural Hazards Research Australia and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), the survey looks at colonial load – the extra workload placed on First Nations people to educate, guide or support their workplace on First Nations history, culture and reconciliation – as well as cultural conflict – instances where First Nations ethics, morals and values misalign, are not known or respected, or are disregarded in non-First Nations workplaces.
Lead researcher and NIDR Program Lead, Associate Professor Bhiamie Williamson, said the findings will help inform recommendations to strengthen First Nations leadership, representation and wellbeing in this workforce.
“Supporting communities and caring for Country is something that comes naturally to our people. One way we see this is through working or volunteering with emergency management, or working in land and management agencies, or as rangers.
“But doing this work can sometimes be hard, especially when working between non-Indigenous agencies’ expectations, and community and cultural obligations. This is why we need to hear from people who have experienced this firsthand, so we know these issues better, and support future generations of mob working in these sectors.”
Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) New South Wales and ACT Node Research Manager, Dr Rowena Morris, said she is honoured to manage a project that will help amplify the voices of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and volunteers working with partner organisations.
