- Jackie Coates - CEO, Telstra Foundation
NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect, listen, and learn. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” invites us to celebrate First Nations excellence and deepen our understanding of Country and culture.
Recently, through our On-Country Exchange program—a collaboration between Telstra Foundation, Telstra’s First Nations Directorate, and the Indigenous Desert Alliance – a team of employees experienced this theme in action.
Telstra Mob in the desert
We travelled to Morapoi Station on Wangkatha Country in the Goldfields of Western Australia, hosted by Traditional Owners and Rangers from Goldfields Aboriginal Community Services – Esperance Rangers. Over five days, led by Elders, Traditional Owners and the Rangers, we immersed ourselves in the rhythms of the desert—tracking Malleefowl, gathering bush foods and medicines, visiting and learning about sacred sites, and yarning around the fire with Traditional Owners and Elders. It was a profound experience of connection to people, Country, culture, history, and story.
It is true that on this trip you lose yourself in the country – its desert for as far as the eye can see. Much more than a sunburnt country, it has a whole life force connecting all its parts to each other in an incredible, networked systems. It’s also an off-grid place – except for the much loved (and free) Telstra community phone- a literal digital lifeline for this community.
A legacy to be revered
First Nations people have managed this land for tens of thousands of years, and the knowledge is passed down generation to generation to keep Culture and Country strong. Indigenous rangers continue this living legacy, sharing knowledge and practices to care for the desert. Tough, hard, work with responsibilities built on generations of refined ways of working at a systems level. The longer you spend with rangers, the deeper you appreciate the meaning of the saying “when you take care of Country, Country takes care of you”. And have no doubt, we all benefit from a healthy country.
Yet, for all its awe (and ore), this remote, desert country is often overlooked. It’s a vast place that is home to some of the wealthiest mineral extraction businesses, but its communities experience disadvantage including digital exclusion. It wears scars of destruction both man-made and by feral and introduced species that are expanding our endangered species lists. The force of climate change will be felt hard in the desert as things heat up and water becomes scarce. However, amongst these challenges, it remains one of the most culturally and environmentally significant areas on the planet.
The On-Country Exchange program is built on a simple but transformative idea: deeper connection drives shared understanding and action. For me, this trip was a potent reminder that walking together is good for everyone and it starts with each of us. Connecting to the wisdom and strength of First Nations people, reinforced for me a vision for Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard, they also lead the way – that’s the future to embrace.
Telstra Foundation is proud to support young women rangers across remote Australia, and this employee-led initiative is an extension of that commitment. As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, let’s continue to listen, connect, and walk together.
