First Nations Consultations For the Australian Human Rights Commission Executive Summary First Nations people are intrinsically relational. Our ability to protect and preserve more than 65,000 years of intangible knowledge speaks to the sophistication of our systems and our ways of doing. Our connection to country, to story and to each other forms an invisible tether that traverses land, sky and sea. From saltwater to freshwater, from red sand to lush tropics, rocky shores to sandy beaches and island homes, we travelled this vast country to hear the voices of the oldest living culture on earth. We were welcomed into community, offered cups of tea and shared stories, laughter and tears. We found old connections and built new ones, that is the way of our people. We heard about racism in its varied forms and the impacts across generations. This report will aim to elevate the voices of our communities and provide recommendations based on community-led solutions. This report serves as a foundational document for the development of a National Anti-Racism Framework, focusing on the most prolific forms of racism experienced by First Nations peoples across Australia. Drawing from extensive consultations with over 496 contributors from diverse populations including those with, metropolitan, rural, and remote backgrounds, the report provides critical insights and personal narratives that illuminate the multifaceted nature of racism within various societal contexts as it applies to First Nations Australians. These voices not only highlight the urgent need for action, but also serve as a clarion call for systemic solutions to eradicate racism. The First Nations consultations conducted for the National Anti-Racism Framework have unveiled a complex and pervasive landscape of challenges faced by First Nations communities. This comprehensive analysis highlights the depth of systemic racism and provides critical insights into the recurring themes, specific issues, and profound impacts on First Nations peoples across various sectors and regions. An Anti-Racism Framework: Voices of First Nations Peoples Page 9