Foreword

The ITRC Member Charter aims to foster respectful research, representation, and engagement with Indigenous and culturally diverse communities both in Australia and globally.

The purpose of this Charter is to guide ITRC members when undertaking research that is within the remit of the ITRC, to promote understanding with their stakeholders including governments, not-for-profit organisations, funding bodies, partners and participants.

The ITRC Member Charter is a living document. It will be reviewed regularly and modified as required. Feedback is welcome and will be acknowledged when appropriate: itrc@usc.edu.au

Introduction

It is essential for all ITRC researchers to acknowledge, respect and promote the rich cultural heritage and knowledge systems of Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples both in Australia and globally. To do this authentically requires a deep understanding and genuine engagement with First Nations and culturally diverse peoples and communities. This charter provides principles and practical guidance for ITRC members to respectfully include, learn from and advocate for Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples’ knowledges and perspectives in all their activities.

Principles

ITRC members are encouraged to adhere to the following principles:

1. Respect, recognition, and advocacy: acknowledge, respect, and advocate for the rights, cultures, histories, practices, geographies, knowledges, perspectives, wisdom and potential of Indigenous and culturally diverse communities.
2. Empowerment, self-determination, and opportunity: research is by and with, rather than research about or on, Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples. The ITRC seeks to actively provide opportunities for Indigenous and culturally diverse people to lead, oversee, co-design, and co-author the creation of innovations, interventions, communications, objects, and other artifacts.
3. Strengths-based approaches: always use and champion strengths-based approaches that highlight the resilience, strengths, and assets of Indigenous and culturally diverse individuals, communities, and cultures. Actively amplify and build upon these strengths in all ITRC activities.
4. Deep listening: commit to the Aboriginal practice of dadirri (deep listening) by being fully present, attentive, engaged, reflective, and genuinely empathetic in conversations and communications with Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples.
5. Indigenous data governance and sovereignty: When considering research that specifically includes Indigenous knowledges, issues of sovereignty must be front-of-mind. Embrace and respect the right of Indigenous people to exercise ownership over Indigenous data and ownership of data can be expressed through the creation, collection, access, analysis, interpretation, management, dissemination, and reuse of Indigenous data. Recognise and respect Indigenous intellectual property rights, including traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. Seek permission and guidance from Indigenous communities before using or sharing Indigenous knowledge in research outputs. Adhere to the Global Indigenous Data Alliance’s FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-useable) and CARE (collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility, and ethics) principles as well as their Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Data protocol.

Practical guidance

• Educate yourself: It is your responsibility to educate yourself and become culturally proficient. Invest in educating yourself about the history, culture, and traditions of Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples in general and the specific communities with which you wish to engage. This includes understanding the ongoing impacts of colonisation, genocide, displacement, continuing systemic issues, and contemporary challenges, particularly for Indigenous and refugee communities. Seek out resources such as books, articles, documentaries, and websites created by authors, scholars, and activists to gain a more nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of the communities with which you work. Familiarise yourself with the Australian Institution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Code of Ethics and guidelines produced by Australian research organisations such as the National Health and Medical Research Council.
• Amplify and foreground marginalised voices: Use your research platform to amplify the voices and perspectives of Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples. Feature storytellers, artists, activists, and leaders in your materials. Provide opportunities for Indigenous creators to showcase their work and share their stories authentically. Avoid tokenism and ensure that representation is meaningful and empowering.
• Build authentic, long-term relationships: Approach Indigenous and culturally diverse communities with humility, respect, and a willingness to listen and learn. Building authentic relationships should be the foundation of any collaboration. Engage in meaningful dialogue with community members, Elders, and knowledge keepers. Recognise that building trust and fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities takes time and sustained effort. Commit to long-term engagement beyond individual projects. Be willing to adapt and evolve your approach based on ongoing feedback and dialogue with Indigenous and culturally diverse partners. Continuously evaluate the impact of your efforts and strive for continuous improvement.

Conclusion 

The ITRC Member Charter provides principles and practical guidance for members to respectfully centre Indigenous and culturally diverse peoples, communities, knowledges, and perspectives in their endeavours.