Indigenous Pathways

We provide a flexible and culturally safe way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in international volunteering.

About

Formally launched in 2021, Indigenous Pathways is an Indigenous-led component of the Australian Volunteers Program that aims to expand and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in international volunteering, by providing culturally safe, flexible and tailored support.International volunteering is a life-changing opportunity to share your knowledge and skills and learn new perspectives while connecting with another culture. Assignments can range from one month to two years in duration and can be completed in-person or online. The program works with community, government, and not-for-profit organisations across a range of sectors, in countries across the Pacific, Asia, and Africa.

Indigenous Pathways works closely with in-country colleagues, to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations from Australia, with organisations and communities internationally, to collaborate on projects that are mutually beneficial and build meaningful relationships across cultures. Indigenous Pathways is led by a team of First Nations staff who manage the program and provide guidance and support to current volunteers and alumni. Our commitment to expanding opportunities for Indigenous Australians and connecting with community-controlled organisations extends to suppliers, with the majority of suppliers directly engaged for Indigenous Pathways activities, being Indigenous owned and operated businesses.

Part of the Indigenous Pathways logo inspired by the work of Penny Evans. In this photo, the color of the line is a burnt orange, and symbolise one river.

Approach and Values

Indigenous Pathways is guided by a set of values that form the basis of how we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations, as well as our overseas partners:

  • Inclusive - Ensuring that the program is culturally aware, recognises the importance of community and family and appreciates the intersectionality that shapes contemporary Indigenous identities.
  • Equitable - Engaging the Indigenous community in a meaningful way and encouraging and supporting Indigenous volunteers with adequate support appropriate to their individual, social and cultural needs.
  • Flexible - Providing adaptable and reflexive approaches that meet the aspirations of Indigenous volunteers, build skills and experience in a variety of fields and meet the needs of communities in Australia and overseas.
  • Strength-based - Enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to draw on their unique skills, expertise and experience and benefit from the people to people exchange of these skills with the global community.
Six women stand outside a building and a lush garden in a tropical environment. They are all smiling, and some have arms wrapped around each other. Two of the women wear shirts with the Indigenous Pathways logo.

Become a volunteer

Share your knowledge and skills, as well as learn new perspectives while connecting with another culture.
The camera is inside an ambulance, facing the back door where two men in Vanuatu paramedic uniforms standing outside smile at the camera.

Partner with us

Indigenous Pathways partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, as well as mainstream Australian organisations.
A beaded necklace done in black, red, and yellow. Hands display the necklace to the camera, with a lush garden in the background.

Contact us

Get in touch with the Indigenous Pathways team.

Indigenous Conservation Knowledge Exchange featured by ABC

The 'Common Cause' documentary explores a knowledge exchange between the Torres Strait Regional Authority Rangers and the Solomon Islands Rangers Association, facilitated by Indigenous Pathways.

Play Episode 7
A group of 14 people in a variety of colours are standing together in a lush, outdoor setting.

Our visual identity

The Indigenous Pathways art was created by Penny Evans, a mixed media artist of Gamilaraay / Gomeroi cultural heritage.

Learn more
The background is light blue, with maroon and white lines symbolising a river.

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