Changing the Narrative About First Nations – Australia

“Changing the Narrative About First Nations – Australia” details the efforts of the First Nations community to build out a messaging fellowship to fight for First Nation sovereignty and land rights, and to re-frame the narrative of “Australia Day.”

The January 26 official national day marks the landing of a British fleet on the island. For the average Australian, it’s a summer holiday for barbecue and beers with friends. For aboriginal communities is marks invasion and the onset of genocide.

Starting in 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates began an ambitious two year effort to flip the script on sovereignty, self-determination and justice for First Nations. Now, after comprehensive communications training and robust messaging research, campaigners are making new gains on land rights and tackling damage to the climate.

This episode is produced by Words to Win By. The program takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio as she unpacks real-world narrative shifts that led to real-world victories.

Host of the Words to Win By, Anat Shenker-Osorio, examines why certain messages falter where others deliver. She has led research for new messaging on issues ranging from freedom to join together in union to clean energy and from immigrant rights to reforming criminal justice. Anat’s original approach has led to progressive electoral and policy victories across the globe.