NAIDOC week
July 10, 2026
This week, our team came together to take part in a range of NAIDOC Week activities, with a clear highlight being the live presentation from Mundanara Bayles. Mundanara was an engaging and generous presenter, sharing knowledge and perspectives that gave our team plenty to reflect on.
At Painted Dog, we do a lot of research in remote Australian communities with First Nations peoples, so continuing to build our cultural understanding is incredibly important. The session reinforced that meaningful research relies on trust, respect and strong relationships – not just asking the right questions.
Some of the key reflections for our team included making Acknowledgements of Country more authentic and locally relevant, taking time for personal introductions when engaging with Aboriginal clients and communities, and recognising the importance of storytelling, cultural protocols, Elders, community leadership, Sorry Business, and Men’s Business, Women’s Business and Community Business.
The session also reminded us to be mindful of language, preferred terminology and the ongoing impacts of colonisation, which continue to shape outcomes for Aboriginal communities today.
Our team left the session feeling inspired, energised and curious about how we can continue building stronger relationships and cultural capability across the business. NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to reflect on how we can keep listening, learning and improving beyond the week itself.
