RugbyWA would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we operate.
RugbyWA is located on Noongar land, and has affiliated clubs across Whadjuk, Pinjarup, Wardandi, Bibbulman, Minang, Kaniyang, Wugjari, Amangu and Wangkathaa lands.
RugbyWA pays our respects to Elders Past, Present and Future, and stand with all Indigenous Australians on the journey towards reconciliation.
13YARN - 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- Phone: 13 92 76
- Website: 13yarn.org.au
1800RESPECT - Family Violence Prevention
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- Website: 1800respect.org.au
Thrillili - Indigenous Suicide Postvention Service
- Web: thirrili.com.au
- After Suicide Support Phone: 1800 805 801
Strong Spirit Strong Mind - Culture as a central guide to manage mental health issues
Moorditj Yarning - counselling for individuals, couples and children (6 years old and over)
“Yarning about things worrying you is often healing, so please call us on 1300 364 277.”
- Phone: 1300 364 277
- Visit Moorditj Yarning
Djinda Service - support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children experiencing family violence.
“To access support for you or your family please call us on (08) 6164 0650 or complete the email form. We are available Monday - Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.”
- Email available via aboriginal-community-support/djinda-service.
YORGUM Aboriginal Family Counselling Services - Offering child sexual abuse therapeutic service, counselling for Aboriginal children experiencing family violence service, family violence counselling and advocacy service and more
“Yorgum provides a wide range of culturally secure community-based healing services that utilise a trauma informed approach to positively impact social and emotional wellbeing.”
- Phone: 9218 9477 or 1800 469 371
- Address: 176 Wittenoom St, East Perth
- Visit Yorgum
Healing Foundation - A national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
- Website: healingfoundation.org.au
- Resources: healingfoundation.org.au/resources
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples share a special connection to this country and to each other, through culture, community and shared experience.
If someone you know – a family member, someone from your community, a friend, neighbour, team mate or workmate – is doing it tough, they won’t always tell you. Sometimes it’s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone who may be struggling with life “are you OK?”.
Indigenous Rounds are a great opportunity to highlight the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people make to sporting clubs and the wider community. This document is a starting point for sporting clubs considering holding an Indigenous Round event.
An Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners, sometimes called an Acknowledgement of Country, can be done by anyone. It is a way of showing awareness of, and respect for, the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the land on which a meeting or event is being held.
Only Traditional Owners/Custodians of the land on which the event takes place can deliver a Welcome to Country.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia is made up of many different and distinct groups, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. They are the world’s oldest surviving culture; cultures that continue to be expressed in dynamic and contemporary ways.
NAIDOC Week is celebrated across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), acknowledging the history, culture and achievements of the oldest, continuinf culture on earth. NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about and recognise First Nations cultures and histories, as well as celebrating the legacy and impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2025 NAIDOC Week Theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. It marks a milestone 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience, in addition to celebrating the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young, First Nations leaders, the vision of First Nations communities, and the legacy of First Nations ancestors. Together, we walk forward, honoring where First Nations Australians have come from and looking boldly to the next generation who will carry NAIDOC and their communities into the future.
There is a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Appreciation means you look to others to lead the conversation. Appropriation is when you centre yourself in the conversation and put yourself in a position of authority.
Cultural appropriation is using elements of a culture which you do not belong to. Appropriation is disrespectful, exploitative, hurtful and reinforces racism.
Cultural Appreciation means appreciating another culture in a respectful, sincere way that helps broaden perspectives and build cross-cultural connections. Respecting culture means that you don’t borrow what you don’t understand. It also means that you take your lead from the right people for the right reasons – not for personal gain, not for Instagram.
- Engage with local Traditional Owners and your local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Community.
- Listen to First Nations stories – read a book by a First Nations author, follow a First Nations content creator, watch a TV show or film by a First Nations filmmaker or listen to a podcast by a First Nations artist.
- Find out whose Country you are on at AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia.
- Attend a NAIDOC Week event! You can find an event in your local area by checking out the NAIDOC Event Calendar.
- Invite First Nations community members to your club, as part of the community.
- Host a Welcome to Country before significant events at your club, or before significant games.
- Engage with Anti-Racism resources to change the language around your club and encourage greater dialogue with First Nations community members.