Grow in Understanding

1. Watch SBS series First Australians

First Australians chronicles the birth of contemporary Australia as never told before, from the perspective of its first people. First Australians explores what unfolds when the oldest living culture in the world is overrun by the world's greatest empire. 

Over seven episodes, First Australians depicts the true stories of individuals - both black and white - caught in an epic drama of friendship, revenge, loss and victory in Australia's most transformative period of history. 

The story begins in 1788 in Sydney, with the friendship between an Englishmen (Governor Phillip) and a warrior (Bennelong) and ends in 1993 with Koiki Mabo's legal challenge to the foundation of Australia. First Australians chronicles the collision of two worlds and the genesis of a new nation. The series has been created in extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2. Learn the facts about incarceration rates

'Change The Record' is an initiative of the National Justice Coalition, a coalition that is overseen by a Steering Committee, made up of  leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, human rights and community organisations. It provides statistics about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in incarceration, plus proposes solutions at all levels in its Blueprint For Change. 

3. Read the 339 Recommendations from the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody.

Please read these recommendations and this review of the implementation of these recommendations, commissioned by Amnesty International Australia and drafted by Clayton Utz, are essential reading, especially as another Royal Commission is conducted.