Passing the Message Stick

Research, messaging and tools for building support for First Nations justice and self-determination.

Explore the research

Passing the Message Stick is a multi-year research project exploring how to build widespread support for First Nations justice, self-determination, truth-telling and treaties.

Explore the foundational research
and the referendum-period resources that sit alongside it.

See the full set of resources

“We must set sight on the aspirations our communities have been fighting for, for decades. Together we can win a mandate for change that will make a difference to the lives of everyday people and a better future for generations to come."

— Dr Jackie Huggins AM
Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru
Passing the Message Stick Steering Committee

Why this work matters

This work sits within a broader movement for First Nations justice, truth-telling, treaties and self-determination. Treaties, truth-telling and self-determination are all within our grasp, but our ability to capture this depends on the level of ambition set in the referendum and whether we win the narrative for transformative change. 

Our research shows strong support for messages grounded in respect, strength, truth-telling and action

72%

Agree that respecting First Nations knowledge, culture, stories and languages will help us move together towards a better future.

65%

Agree First Nations communities are strong and capable, and rich in culture and knowledge.

73%

Agree we must be honest about Australia's ugly history regarding Aboriginal people, including massacres, stolen land, stolen children and violent repression of language and culture.

64%

Agree First Nations communities and experts have come up with many solutions to improve the lives of First Nations people, and what we need now is for governments to act on them.

Foundational principles to Change the story on first nations self-determination and justice

Passing the Message Stick is a groundbreaking, multi-year research project that started back in 2019. In our foundational research - launched in 2021 - we found that messages grounded in our strength and leadership move persuadable audiences beyond entrenched deficit and build widespread public support for self-determination and justice.

Explore foundational research

The people behind the project

Passing The Message Stick is led by a Steering Committee of Dr Jackie Huggins AM, author, historian and First Nations advocate; Larissa Baldwin-Roberts; Millie Telford, First Nations Justice Director at Australian Progress; and Kirsty Albion, Executive Director at Australian Progress. Australian Progress delivers the project.

Meet the steering committee

“Together, we will win better policies by listening to what we - First Nations people - have to say about the things that affect us and our communities.”

Larissa Baldwin-Roberts
Widjabul Wia-bul / Bundjalung

Passing the Message Stick Steering Committee

Join us at an event

We’re hosting a number of online and in-person events, as well as media trainings for community spokespeople. These are for both First Nations and ally audiences, and we encourage you to get involved today!

View upcoming events

Want to learn more?

  • Messaging 101

    Understand the theory of why messaging matters, how to change a narrative, our proven message structure and common pitfalls to avoid.

    Show me the 101

  • Advice for crafting winning messages

    For more information on frames proven to shift persuadables, our central proposition and how to do truth-telling in a way that builds support for our asks.

    How to craft a message

  • Methodology

    Go behind-the-scenes of the research to understand our robust methodology, audiences segmentation and a history of the multi-year project.

    More on methodology