Reclaiming the narrative of the First Nations workforce
The Centre for Indigenous People and Work (CIPW) is a self-determined, joint initiative of the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and the UTS Business School that aims to address systemic inequities experienced by Indigenous Australians in the labour and employment markets, including racism, underemployment, and exclusion from leadership positions.
The Centre seeks to reclaim the Indigenous employment narrative through rigorous, industry-based Indigenous-led research, consulting, and partnerships with other stakeholders in the employment community, focusing on policy formulation, law reform and workplace-based solutions.
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About us
Why we exist
The intent of the CIPW is to change the current narrative by creating a recognisable, self-determined centre to reclaim and redevelop the Indigenous employment narrative utilising Indigenous-led research and partnerships to rewrite perceptions of Indigenous employment and its future.
CIPW shares and embodies our cultural principles of listening deeply and respectfully to our fellow First Nations Peoples, and applying these principles in the contemporary policy environment, creating a joint narrative of experiences and aspirations and self-determining our future to achieve localised success for mob across the country.
Why this is important
The Indigenous employment narrative is primarily told by non-Indigenous peoples, perpetuating foundations of indentured employment (both formal and informal), an absence of fair wages and fair working conditions, and exclusion from the labour and employment markets more generally, except at the very low skill, low pay level and an absence of expectation of quality work and opportunity for job and career development.
CIPW’s role is to reclaim the Indigenous employment narrative, ensuring it is self determined and tells the real, lived experiences of First Nations workers.
Who we are
Our Centre Director, Professor Nareen Young, is Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement and Leadership, UTS Business School and Professor, Indigenous Policy (Indigenous Workforce Diversity), Jumbunna Institute. Nareen is one of Australia’s leading and most respected workplace diversity practitioners, thinkers and influencers. Nareen was first a trade union official and represented women’s employment interests on the Executives of both the ACTU and Unions NSW during this time, lead and managed two Diversity peak bodies (Diversity Council Australia and NSW Working Women’s Centre), with enormous impact and success for nearly 15 years and was then Director and Employment Lead at a large Indigenous consulting firm for three years. She is an Aboriginal descendant from the Sydney area through the Fowler family.
Joshua Gilbert, Assistant Director, is a socially and commercially focused, Worimi man with extensive experience across Indigenous affairs, the environmental sector and sustainable agriculture. Josh has conducted over a decade of research in the Indigenous employment sector.
Our Centre is Indigenous-led and supported by an external Indigenous Advisory Council:
- Tanya Hosch (Chair)
- Glen Brennan
- Kate Russell
- Dr Lisa Conway
- Karen Iles
- Lara Watson
- Michelle Purdy
- Samantha Webster
- Kelly Williams
- Darren Hammond
- Trent Wallace
- Associate Professor Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
- Lisa Sarago
- Jocelyn King
Drawn from the range of practice across the Indigenous employment community.
How we work - our values and ethical policy
The CIPW drives significant policy change and law reform with rigorous, Indigenous- led research. It fills a critical data gap that has historically excluded First Nations voices. This focus on external engagement allows the Centre to influence not only Australian public policy but also to serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar issues regarding Indigenous employment and labour market inclusion. Through consulting, research, and advocacy, the CIPW facilitates long-term partnerships and collaborations that create pathways to fairer, more inclusive workplaces on both a National and international scale.
Our research and practice are conducted with appropriate ethical approvals and in adherence with the highest ethical standards.
Explore our research
The Centre for Indigenous People and Work team has capabilities, expertise and experience working across the broader Indigenous employment sector, ensuring Indigenous voices are prioritised. Our work spans across corporates, academia, not for profits and unions.
Our key research topics and projects
The Centre for Indigenous People and Work has experience and expertise across the following areas.
- Academia: This includes the development of Indigenous employment research methodology.
- Employment research: Conducting the largest Indigenous-led survey of First Nations experiences at work through Gari Yala, as well as gendered insights and Rainbow mob.
- Workplace and sector engagement: Working with corporates, academia, not-for-profits and unions to build Indigenous employment capability.
Gari Yala 2020
Gari Yala – Speak the Truth is a report by the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research that centres the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
Based on a survey of over 1,000 Indigenous employees, it exposes widespread experiences of racism, lack of cultural safety, and identity strain in Australian workplaces – issues that are harming wellbeing and job satisfaction.
Gari Yala 2
New research is set to detail the lived experience of First Nations Australians at work and the improvements required to create workplaces free of racism, discrimination and bias.
Literature review
A hidden history of Aboriginal women’s work in the community controlled health sector.
A literature review considering the intersection of cultural skills and gender-based skills: gender undervaluation in priority occupations under the Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020 (Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Award)