And that doesn’t include our online programs. We place our clients at the heart of what we do, from the get go! Hear what they have to say.
PARTNERS & CLIENTS:
The program was so engaging and very informative, exploring many different and important aspects. I now know to not be scared to use some local knowledge and language.
The training was interactive, engaging and informative, a perfect blend of interesting facts as well as useful and relevant knowledge in a fun, engaging atmosphere. It was one of if not the best training I’ve ever had in any topic! Moving forwards I find myself being more culturally conscious not just with the Indigenous community, but others as well. I was uncertain about a full day workshop but it flew by learning and having fun at the same time. Thank you so much Evolve, I will never forget this amazing experience.
If you are thinking of doing this training – don’t hesitate. You will learn things that you didn’t know that you didn’t know, your respect and admiration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture will increase, and you will want to learn even more after the training!
Come with an open mind, but bring some cultural baggage too. Unless you bring some baggage, you’ll have nothing to get rid of.
I loved every bit of Evolve’s Cultural Awareness Training. I was worried it was going to be another one of those boring workshops, but the Evolve facilitators made it so much fun and interactive, it is a complete eye opener and I’ve learn so much from you both!
The training gave a very good explanation of the kinship system and why the stolen generations had such a devastating impact on our Indigenous peoples. It was the most compelling and revelatory part of the course for me.
This program will open your mind and offer a completely different perspective towards culture differences.
I loved the structure of the workshop and the positivity from both facilitators. You are a great delivery combo!
Everyone should do it. As a result of this program – I’m going to reflect and relate before making assumptions.
Just go – even if you’ve done cultural awareness training before. You won’t regret it.
I loved the ‘circle’ of time activity. It helped me get perspective & further appreciate how long Australian Aboriginal culture has been around. I also enjoyed feeling safe to ask anything.
What I most loved about the training was that it was real and personal. I learnt so much about Indigenous culture, and realised how much I didn’t know and still have so much more to learn.
The program was so interactive and well run. Munya had many stories – I could have sat there for weeks listening. The exercise discussing Skins and the impact the Stolen Generation was mind blowing. The exercise regarding privilege was also fantastic. It outlined how lucky I really am and how much of a gap there still is.
It was so inclusive! I love the set up of speaking in a circle and that the typical formalities of a training course were done away with. It was a chance to really connect. Bring an open mind and don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions! Munya’s answers to people’s questions is where most of the learning happened.
This program was one of, if not the most insightful I have ever attended. Real stories. Real people. Real Talk.
Such an insightful program that everyone should attend if you want to make a difference in the lives of our First nation peoples.
This is the third training I have undertaking involving Aboriginal history and culture, and I learn something new each time. It has profoundly changed my thinking and enriched my understanding.
A very thorough, well planned program with topics that gave a really good insight into Aboriginal culture. The session reinforced the message that Aboriginal children are part of a mob, that not just the Mother & Father are responsible for their welfare. That colonial attitudes and European concept of family being limited by blood ties is foreign and not suited to Aboriginal people. Anyone dealing with public access, welfare, education or other service delivery should attend this session.
Make sure you attend with an open mind, there is a lot to learn! My favourite part was the speed dating. It was really interesting to see the differences in cultural beliefs and understanding the different ways that the Aboriginal community express themselves.
The learning was so easy due to how interactive the program was, the day just flowed. I have much greater confidence now to develop relationships with Australia’s First Nations people.
I haven’t stopped telling colleagues and friends about Munya’s intelligent and insightful teaching style. Before the program I was hesitant to reach out to learn more, I did not want to be intrusive, but Munya showed me how this can be done in a respectful and helpful way. This training turns theory into something practical, accessible and meaningful. It left me feeling inspired about change for the first people of Australia, and I learnt a lot about my culture too.
I loved that there was a great mix of activities and information and that we were being taught by someone with great experience in the subject matter. I really enjoyed that it wasn’t “us vs them” as the training I have done in the past has been. It was just extremely informative, and it focused on similarities as well as differences.Do it! As well as learning a lot it was a fun and interactive day.
One of the best training sessions I have done! It is interactive, captivating, and I took so much away from the day. Expect a brilliant and engaging session!
Do cultural awareness training! It’s fantastic. Be prepared to think deeply about your own culture and biases also. The training will gain you a deeper knowledge of Aboriginal cultures, especially the complexity of the social structures and the connection with landscape and Dreaming.
I loved the method of the delivery – in form of a circle, the discussion cards, and the interactive activities. No death by powerpoint here!
I recommend the training to everyone, it was a real education! I loved that the training was provided by such wise, compassionate women. It was obvious they lived the life they were talking about – and took pleasure in spreading the right words.
With Evolve you are getting a fun, inspiring, engaging and authentic experience with people who actually know what they are talking about!
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. I have already started to use my learnings in everyday life. I think it is so important for every workplace to take part in this training. In fact, everyone in Australia should! it is so valuable and eye-opening.
An Evolve team of 12 facilitated a multi-day National Conference for School Principals, based on Evolve’s Meeting Marketplace approach: “It was a fantastic, unique and enriching professional experience to work with the Evolve team. At all times they displayed a calm and professional manner, quick to focus on solutions and consistently good humoured and accommodating of our frequent last minute changes to requirements and timeframes. Evolve brings genuine passion and experience to their work, and is committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients, adopting a solutions based approach that emphasises good working relationships and cultivates trust”
Evolve worked with the Yalata community to develop the Yalata IPA Management Plan. The Australian Government has cited the approach and plan as an example of best practice: Yalata IPA Draft Healthy Country Plan – practical approach with limited time/ money. Evolve put a very good plan together in a relative short time frame by working closely with lots of Yalata organisations and people. Evolve have a great grasp on the key and unique challenges facing Aboriginal communities and went the extra mile to establish connections throughout the community. Their approach is highly flexible, adapting to changing circumstances and challenges with the aim of making things work on the ground for community. Our main aim was that the plan belonged to the community, this has been achieved!
“The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (formerly FaHCSIA), on behalf of a range of Queensland and Australian government agencies and the Mt Isa Regional Operations Centre (ROC), engaged Evolve to support the remote communities of Mornington Island and Doomadgee prepare Community Safety Action Plans. Evolve employed, trained and coached local Aboriginal community researchers. Using Evolve’s Songlines and Meeting Marketplace approaches, the local team collaborated with all tiers of government, service providers and the entire community to develop and produce community research reports and safety plans that addressed diverse challenges.”
“Evolve Communities enabled us to draw on their rich organisational cultural knowledge and expertise to develop our first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Handbook. With Evolve we created a resource to support our people to be more culturally aware in delivering health and care in Australia and provide guidance on showing respect to our Traditional Owners. Working together was very much a partnership and a unique learning experience that supported our commitment to reconciliation and also continuing to learn from Indigenous Australians.”
“I loved connecting with local Aboriginal people at the Evolve program. Together we are now ‘Taking the Bull by the Horns’ on employment strategies for people with a disability. “
“Illawarra Forum I wanted to increase my connections and involvement in working with Aboriginal communities. Through the Evolve program, I achieved this and more. I made great connections with other service providers who shared this interest. I learnt many new skills and ideas that increased my confidence in working with Aboriginal Communities. This includes a deeper understanding of our First Australians and their early history, Indigeneity and connection to land and Country, and the importance of ‘Sorry business’. I now understand ‘lateral violence’, how it arises and where to find information about how to deal with it. I highly recommend this training to others. Munya is a great teacher, with a unique combination of gentleness, strength and amazing intelligence. What a woman!”
“We thoroughly enjoy working with the Evolve team. They have an extraordinary capacity to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where staff feel completely comfortable asking all the hard questions. Their creative use of humour and capacity to tailor the program to meet the specific needs of the group is exceptional. 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.”
“Cancer Council NSW is committed to Closing the Gap in the higher rates of cancer experienced by Aboriginal peoples. To achieve this, it is critical that we create a workplace that is culturally welcoming for all Aboriginal staff. By increasing our cultural awareness, we hope members of Aboriginal communities will be more comfortable to work with us in creating a cancer free future. Before working with Evolve, we underestimated the time to consult and plan culturally appropriate programs. There was a sense that we could rush in, albeit with good intentions, and just tinker and tailor around the edges. After working with Evolve, I noticed within myself and observed in others a deeper understanding about the need for flexibility. Embracing a Dadirri approach of deep listening, we have adjusted our existing programs. This has inspired our creativity to take us closer to meet our client’s needs and develop stronger partnerships. The Evolve programs are encouraging, positive and extremely practical. It was great to experience the training at an Executive level, and with my own team who work on Cancer Programs. Both were pitched perfectly. I learnt much more than I expected, and I was also respectfully challenged to become more aware of what I didn’t know. I highly recommend Evolve to organisations working on Closing the Gap, irrespective of where you are on this journey.”
“Working with Evolve has been a great partnership towards increasing our organisational cultural awareness at a national level. The tailored programs are highly interactive and experiential. I have observed our staff walking away with increased levels of confidence, understanding and inspiration and often with the positive exclamation ‘best training ever’. With this program and partnership, the ATO is creating the cultural safety and change needed to meet our goals of becoming an Indigenous employer of choice and to contribute to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.”
“I was keen to increase my understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Evolve program gave me practical tools and strategies like when and how to give an Acknowledgement of Country. I increased my knowledge in some unexpected areas too, including about privilege. I highly recommend working with Evolve to anyone who values reconciling what has happened in the past and positively impacting how we move forward.”
“Before the Evolve program, I was worried when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people I might say or do the wrong thing. Now, equipped with a deeper understanding of place, history and culture, I finally feel much more comfortable and confident when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”