First Nations Australians Community Engagement and Programs

Engaging First Nations communities

Our vision for reconciliation and our digital inclusion programs.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) defines how we will embed reconciliation outcomes and system changes into our organisation, including building digital futures with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We're proud to help our customers improve the ways in which they live, work and connect. 

Community partnerships

We're reaching out to engage with your community, no matter how near or far.

Telstra Foundation believes in the power of technology

Our philanthropic arm believes technology can help all young people thrive. We proudly support non-profit organisations, that have digital technology at their heart and are dedicated to creating a brilliant, connected future for young First Nations people in all regions of Australia. 

NATSIAA: Australia’s richest art awards turns 40

Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) is Australia’s longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art awards. In 2023, NATSIAA celebrates 40 years while Telstra celebrates 32 years as proud sponsor.

Keeping Garma connected

Each August, Yothu Yindi Foundation hosts Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, where 2000 people converge in this culturally significant place. Telstra proudly supports with a Fibre COW (cell-on-wheels) to boost coverage while volunteers from our communications team help manage the media attention.

AFL matches broadcast in traditional languages

Working with Indigenous radio stations, we were thrilled to support in-language broadcasts during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Over 50 remote communities listened to games in their traditional languages of Yolngu Matha, Tiwi and Arrernte. 

Photo credit: AFL Photos

Digital inclusion programs

Digital inclusion programs focus on working with community to understand how they want to use digital services. These programs are led by First Nations organisations and funded by Telstra.

inDigiMOB: a pioneering digital project

inDigiMOB addresses digital inclusion and cyber safety awareness and is delivered by First Nations Media Australia. 

Since 2016, inDigiMOB has reached over 14,000 participants (including over 4000 in remote areas of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia) and employed 169 Digital Mentors.  

Mapping the Digital Gap

This project will map digital inclusion and services across 11 remote communities. They will use the results to develop their own Digital Inclusion Plans, to inform local strategies and advocate for better support.

We're working with the Australian Research Council (ARC) on this project. Data will be compared with national results in the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII).

Doing better for the future

Our sustainability site and newsletter keep you updated about how we use tech to approach climate change and help improve digital access in First Nations communities.