Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following pages may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.
Griffith strives to be a place where all peoples of all cultures feel valued and respected
At Griffith, we are led by our values in creating a brighter future for all where everyone should be given the opportunity to make a positive difference to themselves and others. We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have maintained unique relationships to the land, sea, waterways, and the air above and around us over tens of thousands of years as the oldest continuous surviving culture in the world. We acknowledge Aboriginal Australians as Traditional Custodians within our campuses.
Griffith University strives to be a place where all peoples of all cultures feel valued and respected, and where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultures, knowledges, experiences, and perspectives, form an integral part of our learning, teaching, research, and community engagement.
- Griffith University Reconciliation Statement
Cultural Competency Program
At Griffith, we are dedicated to establishing a structured approach for integrating Indigenous Knowledges into all areas of the University community, as outlined in our Creating a future for all - Strategic Plan 2020-2025.
In line with this commitment, we invite staff to participate in one of the forthcoming Embedding Indigenous Knowledges and Cultural Competency workshops. These workshops are conducted in-person across all Griffith campuses.
For more information on how to enrol, follow the links on the enrolment section below.
Upon completion of the Cultural Competency 1 - Crossing Cultures, Hidden Histories workshop, participants will be invited to join the Community of Practice page operated on Microsoft Teams. The Embedding Indigenous Knowledges and Cultural Competency Community of Practice Teams Page foster:
- A shared learning and knowledge exchange
- Promote the spread of best practice.
- Development of professional skills
- Access to further resources
- An online monthly drop-in session
Each month participants in the Community of Practice are invited to join us in the monthly Embedding Indigenous Knowledges and Cultural Competency online drop-in sessions, which provides a safe place for staff to collaborate, reflect on the workshops, share their success stories or seek advice and guidance on their cultural competency journey.
DATES: The Drop-in session will happen on the last Wednesday of every month via Microsoft Teams and is open to those staff who have completed the face-to-face workshops.
- 12:00pm – Cultural Competency
- 1:00pm – Embedding Indigenous Knowledges
Core is an innovative online course developed to strengthen cultural competency. It's designed to be informative, interactive and to create a greater awareness of the vast history and cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning Modules are available to all staff, and we encourage you to participate in the interactive modules to assist in building a foundational understanding of Indigenous Australians.
The full program consists of 10 interactive modules all which provide a comprehensive insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and relevant issues, aimed at enhancing your cultural knowledge. It will help you to develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and critical reflection, and improves your personal and professional skills to engage respectfully and effectively in a cross-cultural context.
The program is tailored to encourage individuals to understand their own cultural perspectives as a key to successful interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.
Enrol in the AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning online modules.
2025 Cultural Competency workshops
Embedding Indigenous Knowledges
Griffith University is committed to producing graduates who value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and the importance of these in our nation’s history and future. Through the Embedding Indigenous Knowledges workshops we commit to implement and monitor the embedding of Indigenous knowledges and perspectives into Griffith University's learning and teaching.
These workshops will provide Academic staff and those in Learning & Teaching roles with practical examples and tools to embed Indigenous knowledges and perspectives into curriculum.
Cultural Competency 1 - Crossing Cultures, Hidden Histories
This workshop will help introduce all Griffith University staff to First Peoples’ history, culture and perspectives. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing impacts of past government policies on contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by engaging with artwork that reflects historical narratives and truth-telling from Indigenous perspectives.
To enrich your understanding and enhance your experience in the workshop, we encourage you to complete Module 1 (CCL-M1 Culture and Identity) and Module 2 (CCL-M2 Country) of the AIATSIS Core Cultural Learning online modules before attending the event.
Cultural Competency 2 - Addressing Inequities through a Racism Lens
Join us for the second instalment of our Cultural Competency series, focusing on understanding and addressing the systemic racism faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through guided discussions and practical strategies, participants will explore the historical and contemporary impacts of racism, and learn how to actively challenge inequities in their communities and workplaces. Build your cultural competency and become a stronger ally in creating a more inclusive and just society.
Please note: This workshop is available to staff who have attended Cultural Competency 1 - Crossing Cultures, Hidden Histories.
Language Matters: Unpacking the Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Terminology
Join Tina O’Keefe (Project Officer - Reconciliation Statement) and Dr. Kelly Shoecraft (Applied Linguist and Lecturer, Learning Futures) for this new one-and-a-half-hour workshop to explore Griffith University’s newly updated Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Terminology.
The workshop will discuss why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language revitalisation matters for all Australians and examine language as identity and culture. It also covers key terms and concepts from the Guide that will help you acknowledge and refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples respectfully when speaking and writing.
Unpacking Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country Guidelines
Griffith University has recently published the updated Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country Guidelines on the First Peoples webpage.
To understand and learn about the protocols and cultural sensitivities involved in both important cultural practices, and to create your own personal and meaningful Acknowledgement of Country in a safe and respectful environment, join Tina O’Keefe, Project Officer – Reconciliation Statement in this new one-and-a-half-hour workshop.
New Cultural Competency 2 - Addressing Inequities through a Racism Lens workshop coming soon
How to enrol
Registration for all workshops can be done through your Staff Portal.
- Log into the Staff Portal and select "My Staff Page" from Key Services.
- The Home Screen will appear. Select "Training and Online Resources" > "Face2Face Training".
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Select "Search by Course Number" and insert:
- Course Code: CCLW02 Embedding Indigenous Knowledges
- Course Code: CCLW03 Cultural Competency 1 – Crossing Cultures, Hidden Histories
- Course Code: CCLW04 Cultural Competency 2 – Addressing Inequities through a Racism Lens
- Course Code: CCLW06 Language Matters: Unpacking the Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Terminology
- Course Code: CCLW07 Unpacking Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Guidelines
- View Available Sessions and choose the available session that suits you.
Contact us
Email us for further information on our Cultural Competency program