projects
Every Shifting Ground project is co-created with our partners to meet their specific aspirations and contexts.
We work with organisations from diverse communities and wide-ranging sectors to deepen their cultural capability, strengthen equity and inclusion, and transform how they engage with First Nations peoples and communities. Our consultative approach ensures our work is culturally grounded, relevant and driving sustainable transformation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
social enterprise Australia
The establishment of a First Nations Social Enterprise Circle.
Facilitated by Genevieve Grieves, the First Nations Social Enterprise Circle is a two-day gathering in 2026 for First Nations social enterprises to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and strengthen one another and the sector. The gathering will critically examine the challenges created by systems that have excluded First Nations voices and grow new ways of being recognised and understood in the work that First Nations enterprises do to create impact. The insights and knowledge shared are intended to contribute to wider systemic change through the creation of a First Nations Values Framework and Values Map, transforming recognition and increasing participation for the work First Nations businesses are leading across the sector, and strengthening pathways toward economic justice and self-determination.
STRATEGY
Yirramboi
Development of a five-year strategy transitioning to an annual festival.
Shifting Ground was engaged by YIRRAMBOI to develop a five-year strategy for transitioning the biennial First Nations festival into an annual program, and its legacy in continuing to grow and strengthen First Nations leadership, the sustainability of First Nations creativity, and facilitating collaboration locally, nationally and internationally.
EVALUATION
Centre For Stories
A co-designed evaluation process focusing on impact and values measurement.
Shifting Ground is partnering with Walk Through Walls to evaluate Centre for Stories’ projects “First Stories” and “Solid Connection”. First Stories is a two-year creative development and storytelling project led by Centre for Stories, designed to amplify First Nations voices across Western Australia. Solid Connections sits within First Stories to honour the importance of non-Indigenous people safely and responsibly sharing stories that will build a more inclusive Australia. The process and outcomes evaluation by Shifting Ground and Walk Through Walls takes a circular, collaborative and responsive approach to evaluation methods and data gathering that enables communities to communicate impact in ways that are most meaningful to them. This may involve adapting data gathering methods as the program progresses in response to experience and feedback. Our process centres principles of self-determination, trauma-informed practice and ethical relationship building.
LEARNING MODULE
ANZSOG
Design of a First Nations Module for the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Shifting Ground created a four- hour First Nations online learning module for public sector executives, designed to embed values of self-determination and cultural integrity at the highest levels of government leadership. The program develops contextual knowledge of how colonisation’s enduring impacts are perpetuated through policy, equipping leaders with the insight to make informed, ethical decisions that advance social justice and systemic change. Developed in collaboration with Māori partners who weaved in perspectives of Aotearoa, the module forms part of an executive education program that prepares public servants to shape a future grounded in justice and reconciliation.
TAILORED WORKSHOP SERIES
Weaving Relational HDR Supervision Practices
Providing knowledge and skills to create safe, supportive supervisory relationships for First Nations HDR Supervision.
Drawing on the principles of Shifting Ground’s core pathway offering, this workshop series was developed by Shifting Ground facilitators Palawa woman Dr Michelle Webb and Bard, Wardandi woman Amanda Sibosado. The series is interactive and relationally centered aiming to enhance support for First Nations Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and their supervisors. Applying culturally safe and strengths-based approaches, the series explores strategies for culturally safe supervision, respectful engagement, and navigation of the academic journey.
We wish to acknowledge RMIT's School of Graduate Research for supporting the development of this workshop series.
our partners
Work with Us
Together, we can shape a future built on respect, reciprocity, and shared understanding. Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can collaborate on designing tailored programs that deepen cultural understanding and strengthen your organisation’s approach to equity and inclusion.
“It has been a privilege to have been able to learn from Shifting Ground through a range of projects as part of my role in the RMIT School of Art... Their work fundamentally challenges how we think and act in creative practice and beyond.
Through their training, I have developed a critical language and understanding of colonisation/decolonisation, race, privilege, power and cultural safety that has reshaped my approach to teaching and collaboration. The team don't shy away from difficult conversations — instead, creating a safe space for deep, relational work grounded in trust, reciprocity and power sharing. They foster genuine self-reflexivity, helping participants understand how we are all enmeshed in systems of injustice and inequity, while providing practical pathways toward ethical collaboration and cultural safety.”
— Dr Alan Hill
Curriculum Architecture Lead, Bachelor of Arts (Photography), RMIT University School of Art