My Philosophy
Decolonial work requires a strong understanding of yourself and how and why you approach things the way that you do. Knowing your positionality in relation to yourself and those around you is critical, so I will ensure that I am transparent in my philosophy and approach to my work. There are three core tenets to my positionality...
Tikkun Olam
In Judaism, there is a mitzvah (a commandment you are obligated to act on), called Tikkun Olam. It translates to "repair the world" and means that Jews, like me, are obligated to work towards justice and reparations in the world we share. This is my obligation to Country and mob and the namesake of my consultancy. It is my core philosophy and shapes my approach to all the work I do. Olive leaves are often a symbol of Tikkun Olam and a symbol of peace.
Decolonisation is not a metaphor
In their seminal text, Tuck and Yang (2012) state that while all acts of decolonisation contribute to the greater environmental and social justice cause, it is not truly decolonisation unless you are actively giving or getting stolen land back to the traditional custodians. This philosophy and text are deeply formative to my knowledge, understanding and approach to my work.
Justice and Reparations
I have an ongoing responsibility to repair the harms I am implicated in both through past mistakes and through living uninvited on stolen land. This responsibility is enduring rather than symbolic, and requires accountability, restraint, and the return of value rather than extraction. I approach this work with humility and willingness to be corrected, conscious that my role is contingent and shaped by what communities determine is appropriate.
Working for Mob
How I ensure trust, respect and your cultural safety are my non-negotiable priorities
IDG, IDS and NDAs
I work strictly under the Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance protocols. When I work with mob, everything belongs and comes back to you and to Country. You own the data, you decide how to collect and what to do with it and you control whether or not it leaves Country. I aim to simply teach you how to use the programs and find approaches to the data and nothing more. To ensure you feel safe and secure in this, I will happily sign non-disclosure agreements and legal documents that keep your data with you and Country.
I will also follow any and all protocols to earn an invitation to work on Country with you.
It's all under your terms
Every part of our work together will be decided, defined and instigated by you. My main role is to bring the skills to the table for a knowledge exchange and help with whatever you ask. I will work within your frameworks, on the goals you set and remain flexible throughout our work to make sure we stay on the same page. I understand any work like this requires relationship development and trust building before starting data collection and analysis, both of which I am willing and eager to facilitate in the process of establishing a contract to work together.
Our work together will always be flexible and will not be locked into rigid goals and frameworks. I work in a decolonial way which means embracing and working towards changes instead of rejecting them.
Language is respect and survival
I am passionate about making sure my work is accessible. I understand that as a byproduct of colonisation, English is a language we will share. I also understand that working on and with Country, English is not always how you want to record and use data and knowledge. With your full permission and gift of language, I will endeavour to work with your language centres, language knowledge holders and language survivors to help translate the end results into your language. I have experience working with in-situ language centres and language survivors doing this. Language will always be power, respect and survival.
Transparency
I understand that trusting a non-Indigenous person to work with you on culturally sensitive projects could be, understandably, difficult and historically traumatic. I know time, commitment to developing trust and full transparency from me will help. To be transparent: what I'd like to gain from our work together is to pay my rent in terms of giving back what I have gained from living on stolen Country, and to continue my family's ongoing fight for justice. Beyond financial renumeration, if you enjoyed working with me, I will ask you to fill in an optional feedback survey and testimony or written recommendation and if you would be willing to recommend me to others you know. I am open to other ideas and negotiations.