First Nations Wellbeing & Racism

Introduce yourself:

Bronte: I am a proud Bundjalung and Mununjali woman. I’m 22 years old and a graduate of Macquarie University, holding a Bachelor of Marketing and Media. Since graduating, I’ve been able to follow my dreams of amplifying First Nations stories by taking up a digital producer and journalist role at NITV and SBS news.

In my spare time, I like to cook, read, write and exercise.🍲 📚✍🏽 

What makes you proud to be Aboriginal?

Bronte: The thing I love most about myself is being Aboriginal. I love the strength and resilience that my culture has given me. It is a strength that has been passed on through generations.

I'm proud to be Blak because of the strong Blak women who have come before me. My grandma always taught me to be proud of who I was and my culture. 

Our culture is special and is a superpower. We always got our community and family. 

How have you experienced or witnessed racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Bronte:

I've watched my family experience racism their whole life.

My grandma was kicked out of school at 13 because she was Aboriginal and had to teach herself how to read and write.

Her sister was put into Cootamundra girl's home, as part of the stolen generation, to be trained for domestic service.

I've watched mum have all the potential but no opportunities because of the system.

I've seen my uncle get stared down at the shops because of the colour of his skin.

It got pointed out that I was different in primary school. I was in year 5. My mum came and picked me up from school one day and a boy asked why mum was brown and I wasn’t and whether or not I was adopted. 

Since then, people would often align Aboriginality with disadvantage and deficit. I was made to feel like I should be embarrassed about my culture. This impacted my cultural identity significantly. 

I started to feel shame and got to the point where I wouldn’t even want to do an Acknowledgement of Country at school. 

A lot has changed since then, I’ve never felt more staunch or prouder to be Aboriginal. 

But, the racism hasn’t changed. I see racism continue everyday when I'm at work. I read the vile comments under the articles we post. I get called names for writing about my people and telling their stories. It is almost impossible for me to do my job without experiencing racism.

When you see or experience racism, how does it make you feel/what impact does it have on you?

Bronte: When I was younger, it made me feel embarrassed to be Blak.

Now, it makes me feel embarrassed of this racist country. Now, it makes me feel angry.

There are days when it gets too much and I feel like withdrawing and switching off - particularly as we see increased racism as the referendum approaches.

Sometimes experiencing racism has made me feel lonely and isolated.

I have felt like I'm too much for reacting at microaggressions or "implicit racism", whether it be at university, in social situations or in past workplaces.

What helps you deal with racism and take care of yourself?

Bronte: 

I always try and remind myself of my ancestors who have come before me and draw from their strength. They have fought so hard for our rights and I try and stay staunch for them. But I know it isn't always that easy.

When it gets too much, I try and connect with Country and get outside. I switch off from social media and surround myself with the people who love and support me.

I find talking about experiences of racism with other mob always makes me feel better. 

What are some ways that you take care of your wellbeing?

Bronte: 

Connecting with my culture is greatly aligned with my well-being.

Having a yarn with family, a cuppa with Aunty and Uncle, getting outside and self-care are some ways I look after my well-being. I always love a good yarn. 

Exercise is a good one too - even if it's just a 10 minute walk round the block (and it's free - nah gammon).

I love to do things to make me feel strong and connected with culture - I feel like it helps fill up my cup and recharges me.

What advice would you give to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait young people who experience racism?

Bronte: 

My advice would be to yarn with someone about it. You're not alone.

A lot of our mob struggle with racism, and all the feelings that come with it.

Speak to your Elders and family and lean on each other.

Keep good people around you who have the same morals and values.

It came out last week that a record number of calls to 13yarn have been made in the lead up to the referendum. It's a hard one for us mob this year with the referendum.

Switch off online if it gets too much. Stay away from news sites, articles or people in the community who you know will have racist comments about the referendum.

There are a number of resources available to mob who may be struggling with their mental health or who are experiencing racism, including 13yarn, the esafety commission and callitout. 

Thank you so much again for sharing this with us Bronte! I’m sure a lot of other young people will be able to relate to what you have shared, feel less alone, and appreciate your deadly advice! ❤️

If anything we've talked about tonight has brought anything up for you and you'd like to have a yarn about it, you can head over to our Yarning Space and get support from our online community, or reach out to :

🖤13YARN - a 24/7 helpline run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

💛Brother to Brother - a 24/7 crisis helpline run by Aboriginal men, including Elders with lived experience. 

❤️National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). They provide a map of all the health services designed and run by the local community.

💚Australian Indigenous Health Info Net. They map each state's health and medical services, including hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities.

💙eSafety also have a First Nations page that shares some tips to help you be deadly online. They also have some information on how you can report any racist content online.

We also have a list of First Nations support services here. 

If you would like to read through some more articles and hear from other First Nations people, make sure to check out our Yarn Up page. 

Stay deadly you mob and remember that you are not alone! 😊