Common Ground: The Power of First Nations Storytelling to Change Systems

About the learning community

This Learning and Sharing Circle brought together First Nations knowledge holders, creatives and thinkers working across diverse systems, including media, education, health, environment, law and enterprise, to explore how storytelling can transform structures, narratives and power.

Through yarning, collaboration and shared reflection, participants explored how storytelling acts as both a cultural practice and a systems-changing strategy. The circle deepened the understanding of:

• How First Nations creativity, ideas and storytelling practices drive connection, collaboration and collective care.
• How the wider social enterprise sector can make space for First Nations leadership and relational accountability.

The circle also co-created a collective learning resources that shares these insights with the broader sector, offering practical principles for centering First Nations storytelling and creativity in systemic change.

About the convenor

Common Ground First Nations is a 100% First Nations-led and operated not-for-profit organisation changing systems through storytelling.

They work to ensure First Nations people can learn, hold and share their stories on their own terms, with the skills, resources, relationships, platforms and support they need. At the same time, they transform non-Indigenous mindsets, shifting apathy into accountability and harmful narratives into truth-telling, respect and solidarity.

How did this learning community work?

Three online workshops (Feb–Apr 2026) guided by Common Ground’s strategic pillars:

• Workshop 1: Amplify and back First Nations voices.
• Workshop 2: Strengthen the storytelling ecosystem.
• Workshop 3: Educate and build accountability.

How to learn more

To learn more about this learning community contact Common Ground First Nations.