“Aunty Munya is very engaging and easy to listen to. The key take-away for me was to keep a check on my unconscious bias and to listen and reflect with an open mind. I would tell anyone considering this program that they will absolutely learn something new from this training!”
Trusted by Australia’s Top Employers
Why choose Evolve for your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training?
Authentic Cultural Knowledge
Real Allyship Expertise
Engaging & Highly Interactive
No Blame, Guilt, or Shame
Innovative & Scalable
Targeted Solutions
Accreditation Pathways
Hear directly from our clients, partners, and Allies!
“Thank you Aunty Munya and Carla, for your hospitality and generosity in yarning with me. I felt both humbled by how little I knew, and inspired by the wisdom. It is my privilege to learn from you.”
“I really appreciated the simple, straightforward, friendly approach and the examples Aunty Munya and Carla gave from their own experience. I now feel confident that I can work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a way that is supportive and effective.”
“It was so easy to understand and digest. I learned so much! It has opened my eyes to so much that I didn’t know but also ways that I can become an Ally. My advice to others is to do it! It’s fantastic!”
“I loved this training. It was great to learn in so many different ways – story telling, watching videos, listening to songs, doing group activities and self reflecting. It is so important for every workplace to take part in this training. In fact, everyone in Australia should!”
“Many of our staff tell us it is the best cultural competency training they have ever experienced and has transformed their approach to working with Aboriginal health organisations. I encourage others to partner with Evolve because of their strategic, thorough and holistic approach.”
The Seven Steps™ framework underpins all of our Indigenous cultural competence programs for a reason - it works!
Reconciliation
Diversity, Identity & Stereotypes
Our Shared History
Communication & Unconscious Bias
Family, Kinship & Cultural Leave
Privilege
Becoming an Ally
How can we help you?
Not sure if you need cultural competence training?
Most Australians have limited knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture. They would like to understand our First Nations people, but they don’t know where to start. How much do you know about Indigenous culture?
Wondering what this is all about?
Our book, Practical Reconciliation, provides a great starting point to learn more about Indigenous culture and to understand the issues involved in Reconciliation in Australia, authored by our co-Directors.
Need a cultural education training program for your organisation?
From affordable, online awareness training for your entire organisation to in-depth cultural coaching for your executive team, we’ve got options for every business size and budget. Our training can help your business engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, champion Reconciliation, and build a stronger, more inclusive workplace.
Need a professional qualification for yourself?
Complete this training to stand out in your career with the increasingly in-demand skills needed to effectively engage and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
An Allyship Success Story
Evolve’s co-Directors Carla Rogers and Aunty Munya Andrews met in 2011 while working together on a Community Engagement project in remote WA. They knew right away that they shared the same values and vision of a kinder, more inclusive Australia.
Aunty Munya Andrews is an Aboriginal Elder originally from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Despite growing up socially disadvantaged, she has obtained degrees in anthropology and law and is an accomplished author, educator, and sought-after speaker.
Carla Rogers is an award-winning program designer, facilitator, and community engagement specialist. Despite being non-Indigenous, she grew up with a strong connection to Country and longing to get closer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
Together, our co-Directors bring a wealth of lived experience, authentic cultural knowledge, and they model successful black and white partnerships, Reconciliation and Allyship. They created their cultural awareness training programs to share their love of Indigenous culture and to facilitate Reconciliation and Allyship.
Carla Rogers and Aunty Munya Andrews, Co-Directors of Evolve Communities
As seen and heard in the Australian media
Frequently Asked Questions About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence
What are the business benefits of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence?
Studies have shown the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion is stronger than ever and the most inclusive organisations are also the most profitable! In Australia, it’s not possible to be an inclusive organisation if your employees lack cultural competency.
Our Cultural Competence training focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness and can help your organisation to:
- Effectively engage and develop meaningful professional relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisations.
- Attract, develop, and retain Indigenous talent to create a dynamic, diverse, and high-performance workplace.
- Safeguard your brand against the reputational damage that can result from cultural misunderstandings.
- Understand, develop, and champion a Reconciliation Action Plan that delivers positive change.
- Develop leadership skills with Evolve’s tried-and-tested R3 communication and conflict resolution framework.
- Create a culturally safe and inclusive workplace, where everyone belongs.
Does Evolve offer online cultural competence courses?
Yes! All of our Cultural Competency training can be delivered online. Our 7-Steps On-Demand Cultural Awareness Training Course is the most accessible starting place to develop cultural awareness and inspire Allyship throughout your organisation. Our Yarning Webinars provide options to deepen understanding of specific topics and we also offer online Yarning Circles, RAP Coaching, and Allyship Accreditation for your management teams and RAP committee. You can explore our cultural education training programs here.
Does the online cultural competence training offer the same thing as in-person workshops?
Yes! Our online cultural competence training programs offer the same information and services as in-person workshops. Our Co-Director Carla Rogers is an award winning learning designer who was teaching others how to deliver effective online courses long before COVID forced us all to adapt. Evolve has been offering online solutions for years. As such we can guarantee the same level of engagement and effectiveness whether you opt to receive our facilitator-led training remotely or in-person.
Is it okay to just say ``Aboriginal cultural awareness training``?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia.
Aboriginal people comprise diverse Aboriginal nations, each with their own language and traditions and have historically lived on mainland Australia, Tasmania, or on many of the continent’s offshore islands.
Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands of the Torres Strait, between the tip of Cape York in Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Torres Strait Islanders are of Melanesian origin with their own distinct identity, history, and cultural traditions. Many Torres Strait Islanders live on mainland Australia.
If you only talk about Aboriginal cultural awareness, you are leaving out Torres Strait Islander peoples who are also Indigenous Australians.
An important way to show respect is to use the right terms when referring to Indigenous people. Terms that are okay to use are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, First peoples, Indigenous Australians, First Nations, or First Australians.
It is respectful to use “people” or “peoples” after the terms “Aboriginal” and “Torres Strait Islander” and to always capitalise.
How can I help improve cultural competence in Australia?
Congratulations, you have already begun! Educating ourselves and others is the first step towards creating a more culturally aware, kind, and inclusive Australia.
We invite you to enjoy and share our many free educational resources:
- Read our Cultural Awareness blog and subscribe to our newsletter
- Download the 2022 Calendar of Significant Indigenous Dates
- Ask Aunty Munya any question about Aboriginal people and culture
- Do the Indigenous Cultural Awareness Quiz
- Take The Online Privilege Walk
If you are ready to take your commitment further as an individual, we encourage you to read our book, Practical Reconciliation and join the Evolve Webinar Subscription.
For those seeking a professional qualification, consider becoming an Evolve Accredited Ally.