Pictured above: First Nations dot style paintings created in a Marra Dreaming “Marra Murrangga Kumangkat” workshop by members of Accenture and Avanade Australia under the guidance of artist Raylene Snow.

As active members of Avanade Australia’s First Nations and Indigenous Employee Network, Luke Ray and Kerryn Knill work together in Kaurna Country (Adelaide). They spent some time discussing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023 theme of “Indigenous youth as agents of change and self-determination,” with Luke sharing his experience as a First Nations youth growing up in Australia.

Kerryn: Self-determination is key to this year’s theme. What does that mean to you?

Luke: As a proud Aboriginal man, I’d like to share my Acknowledgement of Country.

I acknowledge the Kaurna people, the Traditional Custodians where I live and work in Kaurna Tarntanya, and the Bardi people from whom I descend. I pay respect to all past, present, and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Self-determination is making your own choices and controlling your own life. When I’m self-determined, I’m more likely to set goals, work hard to achieve them and persist in the face of challenges.

I’ve achieved success through working hard to get opportunities and draw strength from self-determination.

Kerryn: What do you think are the key challenges that First Nations and Indigenous youth face in achieving self-determination?

Luke: Australian First Nations peoples have been subjected to centuries of colonization, which has had a profound impact on our culture, language and identity. This continues to disadvantage Indigenous people’s access to education, employment and health care.

Unfortunately, there’s also still high levels of racism and discrimination. People are not born racist, it’s learnt, and I believe racism comes from ignorance!

Kerryn: Totally! We all need to be braver and speak up when we hear ignorant and hurtful comments. A recent report showed that 30% of our First Nations Australian youth had been bullied in the past year, 10% higher than non-First Nations youth. Do you remember when you became aware of discrimination or bias against you?

Luke: When I was a teenager, hanging around with my cousins getting followed by security and getting kicked out of department stores and shopping malls. When it would come up in conversation in my working life, I felt like I was being judged through preconceived notions that I was lazy or dishonest, uneducated or dumb and how I might treat women.

Kerryn: From your experience, how do you think we can support First Nations youth to find self-determination?

Luke: Access to quality education and training with safe and supportive environments free of racism and discrimination. I had to work hard to achieve my I.T. career goals. I had an opportunity from a member of the Adelaide Aboriginal community looking for First Nations people interested in I.T . careers . I did not land that consulting position , but it led me to Reconciliation South Australia where I worked as an I.T. support and website administrator.

The organization found that First Nations representation within I.T. fields was close to zero percent, and the organizers have gone on to champion I.T. training and development initiatives for First Nations youth.

Kerryn: I see you as an agent for change and have learnt so much from our conversations. What motivates you to share your personal experience with us?

Luke: Like many First Nations people, my story is one of disconnection. I was fortunate enough to meet my father, learning his story and how he managed to succeed in sport even though he had no connection to his family. It gave me inspiration to pursue my own sporting career and even when times were tough, I knew where I came from, and it could be a source of strength and to be proud of who I am and my background. Avanade has also given me a solid platform to share and help educate people.

Kerryn: I’m also proud to work for such an inclusive, diverse organization . What advice would you give your younger self around your cultural identity?

Luke: I did not have an easy time growing up and didn’t pursue cultural learning as much as I should have. While I did have the opportunity to meet my father and his family, it was a polarizing experience and a culture shock. The systemic racism in the Northern Territory was much different from Adelaide where I grew up. I did get more of a feeling of community and wish I had pursued it further and strengthened these bonds.

Kerryn: You’ve told me how you educate your mates around their perceptions of First Nations People. What are some of the damaging stereotypes you’ve heard?

Luke: I often hear, “Why don’t they just get off their arses and do it for themselves?” There’s a lack of understanding around ongoing, systemic problems, such as the breakdown of many First Nations family units and disproportionate socioeconomic disadvantages. Through various injustices such as the Stolen Generation (where First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families), there have been major disruptions to generational family trees of support, and we still feel the impact of this.

There’s also another side to these stereotypes, where going to jail is considered almost a rite of passage. This should be the exception not the norm.

Kerryn: Sadly, the stats agree – 5.8% of Australians aged 10-17 are First Nations yet represent 49% of all young people in detention. What advice do you have for someone wanting to be an ally for First Nations youth?

Luke: Participate in First Nations events, ask questions, become informed so we can overcome the problems through better understanding.

Give kids a go. They will make mistakes but that doesn’t make them bad. Talk to them, ask questions, get them involved, make them feel accepted, and give them opportunities to thrive and be successful >.

Kerryn: Great advice Luke and thanks for sharing. We should all work collectively for positive change and I’m sure your words will inspire people to learn more.

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Content note: In this article the words Indigenous, First Nations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are used to describe the First Nations people of Australia. For guidance on appropriate language please see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples style manual.