As a proud Ngiyampaa woman originally from beautiful Wiradjuri country, I hold deep respect for the strength, resilience, and leadership of First Nations peoples across this country. In my role at YLab, I’m privileged to work alongside young First Nations leaders who are shaping transformative change in their communities.

For many First Nations people, January 26 represents a day of pain and resilience. It reflects the ongoing impacts of colonisation but also the strength of First Nations communities in the face of systemic injustices. It’s a day to listen, learn, and reflect on how we, First Nations and non-Indigenous people alike, can contribute to a future shaped by truth, healing and justice.

Invasion Day is a time for reflection – not just on the painful truths of our history, but also on the remarkable resilience of First Nations communities. It’s a moment to consider what allyship truly means and how we, as individuals and organisations, can take meaningful steps to support Voice, Treaty, and Truth.

YLab’s role as an ally organisation

I’m honoured to be part of YLab’s journey as an ally organisation. Together, we’re learning, growing, and working to ensure that First Nations voices and knowledge remain central to everything we do.

YLab partnered with Blak Wattle Coaching and Consultancy to develop the next evolution of YLab’s First Nations Practice. Caroline Kell, Brigid Canny and I worked closely for over 12 months to understand how YLab is best placed to support First Nations justice through systems change.

It was important to us that we worked in a decolonised way, allowing big yarns and taking the time we needed as our main methods of unraveling the complexities we encountered. After lots of yarns with young Mob, First Nations leaders and experts in systems change, our role as an ally organisation emerged as one of the key initiatives that would allow us to best support First Nations justice. 

As a non-Indigenous organisation committed to creating better systems and services designed with young people, allyship means we are using our power and resources to uplift the voices and needs of First Nations young people and backing First Nations organisations who are the experts in First Nations communities.  

We believe allyship is not just a value – it’s a commitment to action. This means stepping up to support First Nations leadership and stepping back to make space for their voices. Through genuine partnerships and advocacy, we aim to embed First Nations knowledge and principles across our work.

Our role as an ally involves listening deeply, fostering trust, and challenging systems of inequality. We’re proud to stand alongside First Nations communities and young people and are continually inspired by their resilience and leadership.

Elevating First Nations leadership and initiatives

This is particularly true for young First Nations people. YLab proudly supports youth-led organisations like the Koorie Youth Council, Culture is Life, NIYEC, amongst others. These organisations are beacons of leadership and self-determination, working tirelessly to create spaces where young First Nations voices are heard and valued.

We also back national initiatives like the Uluru Statement from the Heart, advocating for Voice, Treaty, and Truth as essential steps towards justice and equity. On the global stage, we stand with international efforts such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognising its importance in securing Indigenous rights around the world.

Here in Naarm, where YLab operates on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People, we support the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and its work toward Treaty and Truth-telling. These initiatives embody the transformative change that First Nations communities have long fought for and represent critical progress toward a more equitable future.

Call to action: support and learn

On Invasion Day and beyond, we invite everyone to take action in support of First Nations communities. Let’s continue to learn, listen, and take action. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Reach out and make yourself known to your local First Nations organisations as a potential collaborator 

• Engage local First Nations businesses for decolonised cultural training 

• Practice healthy exchange in your work with First Nations organisations ensuring mutual benefit 

Want to learn more about our First Nations Practice?

Email Manager Kelsey Dole.