Our collective responsibility
This strategy sets out a vision for a university that honours Country, upholds cultural integrity and advances self-determined futures for our communities.
The foundations of the Macquarie University Indigenous Strategy 2026–2030 has five guiding principles that articulate the values that will guide our relationships and anchor our decisions in what matters most to Indigenous peoples and communities.
Each principle affirms deep respect for Indigenous sovereignty, culture and truth, and confirms that this strategy stands as a commitment to action, accountability and genuine self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Combined, these principles reflect our relationality to peoples and place.
Strategic priority areas
See the strategic aims we have for these five priority areas. Information about our objectives for each area can be found in the Indigenous Strategy 2026–2030 document.
To respect and care for Country as a living, sovereign presence by embedding cultural practices, languages and environmental stewardship throughout our campuses, curriculum and community.
Every action will reflect cultural integrity, strengthen connection and uphold our enduring responsibilities to Country, peoples and future generations.
To enhance education by:
- embedding Indigenous knowledges in curriculum and pedagogy
- ensuring culturally safe and inclusive spaces
- supporting Indigenous students to access, participate and succeed.
This includes providing all students with a deep understanding of Indigenous histories and lifeworlds, the cultural knowledges and skills to work with and for Indigenous peoples and communities, and ensuring students are equipped with strong anti-racist capabilities.
Central to this aspiration is increasing the presence and leadership of Indigenous scholars with expertise across disciplines, alongside growing the Indigenous workforce in academic and professional roles, to strengthen Indigenous-led, ethical and culturally grounded education.
To lead world-class Indigenous-led and non-Indigenous-led research that advances sovereignty to Country, self-determination and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Grounded in Country, culture and community priorities, our research embeds Indigenous methodologies, cultural knowledges and ethical frameworks to ensure integrity, reciprocity and accountability. We will:
- grow and champion Indigenous research leadership across disciplines
- uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles
- forge equitable partnerships that transform systems of knowledge.
Through innovation, collaboration and cultural authority, we will position the University as a national and global leader in Indigenous research, producing outcomes that matter for Indigenous peoples and reshape futures for all.
We aspire to be a university where Indigenous leadership and cultural knowledges are embedded at every level, shaping our cultural identity, guiding institutional direction, and ensuring that Indigenous peoples drive decision-making about our shared future.
Through genuine recognition of sovereignty and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, we will foster environments where Indigenous staff, students and communities thrive in self-determined, culturally grounded and globally connected futures.
To nurture strong, respectful and enduring partnerships with Indigenous peoples, communities, organisations and industry that are built on trust, reciprocity and accountability.
These relationships will promote shared goals, advance social and educational equity, and strengthen collective capacity, ensuring our work is responsive to community priorities and contributes to transformative change.