Most Australians agree there is little trust and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Many of us feel angry or guilty about the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are treated.

However, there is hope. Improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is something YOU can do something about, regardless of whether you know an Indigenous person or your position in society.

A simple way to begin is to understand, acknowledge and support Indigenous culture and people, and to speak up against racism.

Sign the pledge, and we’ll send you tips on how you can do this ...

A new partnership

The most important challenge Australia faces is ending the disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The great news is that everybody can make a difference!

"Today's apology...is aimed at building a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians—a bridge based on a real respect...Our challenge for the future is now to cross that bridge and, in so doing, embrace a new partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians." – Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister, February 2008

Stopping disadvantage and discrimination of Indigenous Australians requires both government policy change and individual behavioural change. It’s not just up to the government to make things better: you can do something too!

Together, The Body Shop and ANTaR are aiming to collect 20,000 people to sign this pledge during the three weeks of this campaign. This means 20,000 individual commitments to build a new partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians based on mutual respect.

Help us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures! You can sign the pledge online.

"We can only be stronger as a nation if we work together to create new partnerships and a new agenda for Indigenous Australia." – Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, May 2009

Many people say they would like to help end the disadvantage of Indigenous Australians but they don’t know how. This campaign fills that void. When you sign the pledge, we will email you some small but important ways you can help.

How can I show Respect?

Respect (noun)

1. To hold in esteem or honour: “I respect the traditional owners of the land”.
2. To show esteem, regard, or consideration for: “I respect someone’s wishes”.
3. To treat with consideration; refrain from interfering with: “I respect a person’s privacy”.

– Macquarie Dictionary

If you are a non-Indigenous person, read about the four ways you can show respect to Indigenous Australians:

• Understand
• Acknowledge
• Be supportive
• Speak up

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, read about how you can support non-Indigenous Australians show respect to Indigenous Australians: click here.

If you're simply curious about this campaign, read the finer details, including information about the launch.