About

As first nations people, we are the first storytellers — and right now, the whole country is listening.

The words we use to tell our stories matter. When we share our strengths, solutions and vision for change, we build widespread support for the changes our communities have been calling for, for decades. 

Passing the Message Stick is a groundbreaking multi-year First Nations-led research project designed to shift public narrative in support of First Nations justice and self-determination.

We launched the foundational research in 2021 and it has been widely adopted by First Nations organisations, advocates, journalists, activists and allies. The biggest finding was that when we lead from our strengths and expertise, we can win big change. This is a critical antidote to the pervasive deficit language that harms us and holds us back.

In 2023, this work expanded into a referendum-specific stream of research and messaging guidance. That body of work remains available here as an archive of research, recommendations and resources developed during that period. It builds on the foundational report and explores persuasive messages to support transformative change, including treaties, truth-telling and representation Click here to view the archived recommendations from that phase

The good news is, our research shows our target audiences resonate with our vision for transformative change, particularly when they have the social proof that others are also in support.

We believe that if we build a groundswell of public support and win a resounding Yes, then a wave of transformative change for First Nation justice will follow - because public momentum and demand gives governments a political mandate to act on bold policy reform. 

This is a resource to help get us there. It’s been created for us, and by us, and we encourage you to pass these findings on as far as you can.

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Meet the steering committee

Passing The Message Stick is led by a Steering Committee of pre-eminent First Nations advocates, delivered by Australian Progress, and supported by a broad community of First Nations advocates, allies and philanthropic donors.

  • Dr Jackie Huggins AM

    Dr Jackie Huggins AM

    Bidjara / Birri Gubba Juru

  • Larissa Baldwin-Roberts

    Larissa Baldwin-Roberts

    Widjabul Wia-bul / Bundjalung

  • Amelia Telford

    Amelia Telford

    Bundjalung and South Sea Islander

  • Kirsty Albion

    Chief Executive Officer, Australian Progress

I’m so proud of this work, it fills me with hope for what’s next. Messages are passed through story, and storytelling has been at the heart of our culture since time immemorial. 

We encourage you to take these findings in your hands and heart, and share them widely – to create transformative change and centre our strength and solutions in public policy across the country. 

Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA, Passing the Message Stick Steering Committee