First Nations knowledge exchange: Empowering Wurundjeri-led, self-determined relationship formation

On Wurundjeri Country and across Australia, there is a persistent need to grow Indigenous knowledges that resist cultural colonisation through interactions with governments and institutions. The question of how to elevate and center Wurundjeri interests, knowledges and ways of doing things in the formation of these partnerships and relationships is key. To address this need, this project seeks to hold conversations and engage in knowledge exchange between members of the Wurundjeri community and Indigenous peoples in Canada.

It is well documented that in Canada there are stronger foundations for partnerships, treaty-making, and Indigenous self-determined processes in areas such as Indigenous-led education, institutional relationship forming, and agreement making. By facilitating yarns with First Nations people in Canada, this project seeks to add to the existing body of Indigenous knowledge that supports the health of Wurundjeri culture and community in the process of institutional and government relationship-building and agreement-making.

We will seek to yarn with Musqueam, Okanagan and other First Nations community members and land councils about their experience and approach to establishing self-determined mutual benefit partnerships. This will empower a Wurundjeri-led conversation for partnership with the University of Melbourne through partaking in knowledge exchange with First Peoples in Canada and contribute to the Woi-wurrung Wurundjeri Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors’ knowledge for progressing self-determined Wurundjeri-led strategic partnerships.

We will document our learnings to support knowledge transmission back to the Woi-wurrung Wurundjeri Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors and Wurundjeri community.