Sharon Finnan-White is the second First Nations woman to pull on the Australian Diamonds dress and is now working to drive more Indigenous representation in netball.
In 2023, Finnan-White launched her First Nations Academy of Excellence and works with players, coaches, umpires and community stakeholders to develop a high-performance environment for her participants to follow elite pathways. Her work also includes creating culturally safe spaces for her participants, and bringing everyone in to the conversation to drive change.
From her expertise and lived experience in this space, Sharon has kindly shared some of her advice to approaching conversations about developing culturally safe spaces in sport for First Nations people and developing cultural understanding.
Reflections on creating culturally safe spaces for First Nations people in sport
By Sharon Finnan-White
My approach to facilitating conversations about cultural safety involves creating a supportive and respectful environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their perspectives.
Here are some key principles and advice for non-Indigenous individuals who want to learn and contribute positively:
1. Take the initiative to educate yourself about Indigenous cultures, histories, and perspectives. There are many resources available, including books, articles, documentaries, and educational programs. This shows respect and lessens the burden on Indigenous people to constantly educate others.
2. When engaging in conversations about cultural safety, listen actively and with an open mind. Respect the knowledge and experiences shared by Indigenous individuals without invalidating or dismissing their perspectives.
3. It’s okay to ask questions, but frame them respectfully and be open to receiving the answers. Avoid questions that are invasive or presume a specific viewpoint.
4. Amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives within your community and in broader conversations about cultural safety. This can be through sharing their work, promoting Indigenous-led initiatives, or advocating for inclusive policies.
5. Reflect on your own biases and assumptions. Challenge stereotypes and misconceptions that may affect your understanding of cultural safety and Indigenous experiences.
6. Cultivate genuine relationships with Indigenous individuals, communities and organisations based on trust and mutual respect. This allows for ongoing learning and collaboration towards creating culturally safe spaces.
7. Move beyond learning by actively supporting initiatives and policies that promote cultural safety in sports and other contexts. This could involve advocating for inclusive practices within organizations or participating in community events.
By taking these steps, non-Indigenous individuals can contribute to creating a more inclusive and culturally safe environment without placing the burden solely on First Nations people to educate them. It’s about fostering respectful dialogue, supporting Indigenous leadership, and committing to ongoing learning and action.
This piece is supported by a 23/34 Melbourne Press Club Michael Gordon Fellowship.