‘It has to be good for your health, I have seen people who volunteer look, sound and behave and are better people generally.’ Indigenous man While many official definitions of volunteering do not include immediate family, this distinction is meaningless for many Indigenous people, for whom family does not fall neatly into categories of ‘immediate family’, ‘nuclear’ and ‘extended’. ‘If you are looking after a big mob of kids and some might be your own kids, or your sister’s kids, is this volunteering? You’re feeding them, getting them to school, it’s not paid.’ Indigenous woman Impacts of colonisation Indigenous community members also reflected on the impacts of colonisation and discrimination on connection to country, belonging, identity and poor health and education outcomes. These were seen as leading to mistrust and suspicion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It was also noted that some Indigenous people may be uncomfortable in non-Indigenous organisations and may prefer to volunteer within their communities. ‘Volunteering is what outsiders and whitefellas do, you have to feel comfortable, have that trust, not be shamed, it has to be welcoming, if you’re not comfortable, then you won’t go back.’ Indigenous man Remote communities Remote communities face additional challenges, with fewer people, less resources and limited access to services. Both volunteering and giving therefore are essential to addressing the challenges faced by community members.
‘It has to be good for your health, I have seen people who volunteer look, sound and behave and are better people generally.’ Indigenous man While many official definitions of volunteering do not include immediate family, this distinction is meaningless for many Indigenous people, for whom family does not fall neatly into categories of ‘immediate family’, ‘nuclear’ and ‘extended’. ‘If you are looking after a big mob of kids and some might be your own kids, or your sister’s kids, is this volunteering? You’re feeding them, getting them to school, it’s not paid.’ Indigenous woman Impacts of colonisation Indigenous community members also reflected on the impacts of colonisation and discrimination on connection to country, belonging, identity and poor health and education outcomes. These were seen as leading to mistrust and suspicion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It was also noted that some Indigenous people may be uncomfortable in non-Indigenous organisations and may prefer to volunteer within their communities. ‘Volunteering is what outsiders and whitefellas do, you have to feel comfortable, have that trust, not be shamed, it has to be welcoming, if you’re not comfortable, then you won’t go back.’ Indigenous man Remote communities Remote communities face additional challenges, with fewer people, less resources and limited access to services. Both volunteering and giving therefore are essential to addressing the challenges faced by community members.
Giving-and-volunteering-in-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-and-Indigenous-communities-final-report.docx