What I've learnt about living on other mobs' Country — respectfully
Skye Cusack, a Dulgubarra-Yidinji writer, reflects on learning to live respectfully on First Nations Countries other than their own, drawing on personal experiences and insights from other Indigenous Australians. They emphasize the importance of listening to local communities, acknowledging mistakes, and building genuine connections. Respect involves both everyday actions and deeper cultural understanding, especially for those disconnected from their ancestral lands. Code-switching and research are tools used to navigate different cultural contexts and foster belonging.
- ▪Skye Cusack grew up disconnected from their Dulgubarra-Yidinji heritage and has lived on Wurundjeri, Yawuru, and Dgujan Countries.
- ▪Brooke Collard, a Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar artist, shares how growing up far from her ancestral Country impacted her cultural connection.
- ▪Beau Windon and Luke Patterson highlight the importance of asking questions, making mistakes respectfully, and engaging with local communities to build trust.
- ▪Code-switching is described as a necessary practice for many First Nations people when moving between different cultural environments.
- ▪Building community on new Country involves attending cultural events, finding like-minded people, and showing genuine interest in local traditions and protocols.
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perspectiveWhat I've learnt about living on other mobs' Country — respectfullyBy Skye CusackTopic:Indigenous Australians2h ago2 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 2:03amSkye Cusack on Dulgubarra-Yidinji Country in far north Queensland. (Chloe Padmore)abc.net.au/news/living-on-country-respectfully/106414024Link copiedShareShare articleAs a young Blak kid disconnected from my heritage, the only time I heard the word "Country" was during acknowledgements at school assemblies.Now in adulthood, as I connect more with my Dulgubarra-Yidinji heritage, that word carries more weight. I have been looking for guidance on how to live respectfully on the Wurundjeri, Yawuru and Dgujan Countries that I live and work on.In the past 12 months, I've travelled to almost every state and territory in Australia for work, and have moved interstate twice. I moved to Rubibi/Broome and then to Naarm/Melbourne.I move with the understanding that I am a guest and so I do what I can to listen to local mob and not follow the pattern of intrusion or disrespect.So to better understand what respect looks like in practice, I spoke with other First Nations people about how they approach working and living on other mobs' Countries.Living on other mobs' CountryI personally grew up disconnected from my culture, so I have never lived on my Country.I moved to Rubibi/Broome for work, and then to Naarm/Melbourne as I missed the community I had built there.Like me, Brooke Collard also grew up away from Country, learning to balance both the connection and disconnection equally.Brooke Collard says cultural disconnection may make it difficult for mob to reside permanently on their ancestral lands. (Supplied: Brooke Collard)Ms Collard is a Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar film producer and multidisciplinary artist, born on Nyikina Country in Derby, Western Australia — more than 2,000 kilometres from her ancestral Country of Boorloo/Perth."I do have a childhood connection to Derby, but it's not the same connection I would have to living on my own Country."She says cultural disconnection may make it difficult for mob to reside permanently on their ancestral lands.She experienced racism for the first time while on Ballardong Noongar Country."When I was in school, if you said you were Aboriginal, they understood it. But on my Country, it was different. It broke my heart, but I try to look at that time with empathy."Wiradjuri author and educator Beau Windon says his lived experience of heritage and culture also feels fractured."Colonisation means that I grew up and experienced life in a very different way to my ancestors … there are some things I would never write about because it's not my place."Why is respecting Country and local mob important?I didn't understand why it was important to respect Country and local mob until I was in my twenties.More stories on Country:What it's like to visit Country for the first timeDan Bourchier reflects on being on CountryHow being on Country helped Rulla with mental health challengesI understood the importance of basic things, like being polite to my neighbours and not littering, but I didn't develop a true cultural understanding until I began my own journey.I learnt that many mob, including my own Elders and family, believe that Country is a living entity that we must respect and care for so it can give back to us in return.Gamilaroi arts-based researcher and writer Luke Patterson says that something he focuses on while living on Bidjigal Country is looking for…
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