This PRIDE Month, groundbreaking research hopes to help enhance support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ youth.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are at a greater risk of poor social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) than their non-Indigenous peers, as well as increased risk for suicide, anxiety, and depression.
But now, a new initiative known as ‘Walkern Katatdjin’, which roughly translates to “Rainbow Knowledge” in the Noongar language, seeks to address critical gaps in available health and social support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who identify as LGBTQA+.
Many of these young people (aged 14-25) experience discrimination and social and cultural isolation – challenges that can make them vulnerable to inadequate healthcare support.
Through Walkern Katatjdin, Director of HealthInfoNet at Edith Cowan University (ECU) Professor Bep Uink and her team aim to help amplify young people’s voices and empower health providers to foster inclusive environments.
“Participants in the National Survey 2022 shared stories of encountering dismissive care, discomfort in accessing Aboriginal health services, and biases within some LGBTQA+ spaces,” says Uink.
“Many described the difficulty of being seen and accepted as both Aboriginal and LGBTQA+. These young people also stressed the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments that combine cultural safety with LGBTQA+ allyship.
“Our research has highlighted the significant gaps in support, from under-resourced services to practitioners lacking cultural safety or understanding of diverse identities.
“We are encouraged to see that the research findings have already been impactful in implementing practical training resources for health providers and helping navigate pathways to support services for Aboriginal LGBTQA+ young people.”
Need for culturally sensitive support
ECU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Equity and Indigenous) Professor Braden Hill is a key researcher on the Rainbow Knowledge project and says that, although there is currently a growing number of resources tailored to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ individuals, it is still not nearly enough.
Professor Hill explains how the research responds to these challenges by promoting inclusive research and generating culturally sensitive solutions.
“Our team, led by Professor Uink, are working directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ youth and collaborating with service providers to bridge these gaps,” Hill says.
Navigating identity: Insights from Aboriginal LGBTQA+ youth
Uink says that many Aboriginal LGBTQA+ young people place identity at the heart of their wellbeing.
“Participants in our study shared how family, friends, and community relationships shaped their sense of self—sometimes uplifting them but often presenting challenges and highlighting the broader struggle of belonging,” she says.
“Many felt unaccepted by the Aboriginal community due to their LGBTQA+ identity and unsupported by the LGBTQA+ community because of their Aboriginal identity.”
This dual marginalisation underscored the importance of creating spaces specifically for Aboriginal LGBTQA+ people, where visibility and belonging could thrive.
A three-phase approach to meaningful change
Uink says Walkern Katatdjin’s three-phase structure is designed to deepen understanding and create community-driven resources, adding that this research is among the first to document the experiences of young people within this group who live in the Perth metropolitan region.
“We consulted youth and stakeholders to map challenges and inform tailored interventions, we then collaborated with the Youth Advisory Group and Indigenous Governance Group to guide research, recruitment, and resource development, ensuring outputs align with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ lived experiences,” Uink says.
“We have almost completed the final project stage, which is co-design of a Community Roadmap with communities, youth, and health providers to deliver sustainable, actionable strategies for immediate and long-term support.”
Youth empowerment and advocacy
Uink says that Walkern Katatjdin’s success is made possible because of its Youth Advisory Group, which consists of Aboriginal LGBTQA+ individuals aged 14-25 who play an active role in steering the project’s direction.
“The Youth Advisory Group’s involvement is so pivotal in ensuring that the project remains authentic, relevant and effective,” says Uink.
“These young advisors collaborate on data collection, analysis and resource creation, contributing their insights and sharing their stories to shape project outcomes.
“The Youth Advisory Group is an embodiment of the project’s commitment to community ownership, placing young people at the heart of the initiative. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the specific challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ youth while also fostering a sense of agency among the participants.”
Rainbow Knowledge represents a transformative step toward bridging cultural and social gaps in health and wellbeing support.
Hill says that, by being grounded in compassion and cultural awareness, the Rainbow Knowledge project offers an inspiring model for community engagement and future research.
“Through its commitment to co-designing solutions with Indigenous youth, Rainbow Knowledge ensures that its outcomes resonate with those it aims to support, creating a lasting impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ communities across Australia,” he says.
Are you aged between 14-25, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQA+?
If so, the research team on the Walkern Katatdjin project would love to hear from you. Simply write a paragraph about who you are and why you are interested in being part of the Youth Advisory Group (an Expression of Interest). EOIs can be sent to Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, who is a research assistant on the project, at Rainbow.Knowledge@telethonkids.org.au
If you would prefer to give an EOI over the phone, you can also contact Shakara on 08 6319 1062. With no formal closing date for applications, all EOIs will be considered on a case-by-case basis as they arrive, with applicants contacted shortly after.
Artwork creates relatable characters
The Rainbow Knowledge project has engaged local artists, including Shakyrrah Beck, Kaeya Milton and Manmiya to portray characters that are relatable for young LGBTIQA+ people. The artwork is by young Aboriginal queer artist Kaeya Milton.
Milton uses they/them pronouns and says they are a believer in equality and do their best to show this in their art. They are Aboriginal and wish to learn more about their culture from their mum, as well as other people in their life.
A call for collaborative transformation
Hill says Rainbow Knowledge’s approach exemplifies the power of collaboration.
“The project engages a range of stakeholders, from healthcare professionals to community leaders and Elders, all of whom play a role in creating supportive environments.
“With partners such as the Kids Research Institute Australia, Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre and other Aboriginal health and community organisations, Rainbow Knowledge is building a network of allies dedicated to fostering social change.
“By addressing the complexities of identity, culture and health, Rainbow Knowledge is more than a research project – it’s a movement toward equity and respect.”
Reach out – support is available
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
- Lifeline: 131 114 or www.lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
