Transform your organisation with Indigenous cultural awareness

Create workplaces and communities where all people belong.
Build leaders and teams with respect and Reconciliation. 

2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards

National Winner | Building Communities

‘Our judges were impressed by the scale of their business and their ability to make the world a kinder place. Their ‘no blame, no guilt, no shame’ philosophy ensures their programs remain refreshing and forward focused’

Amanda Hutton

Telstra Business Executive Group

Ready to lead change?

Book a consultation with our team to explore what’s possible for your organisation.

Why choose us?

Supply Nation certified, Indigenous business led by Aboriginal Elder, Educator and Author, Aunty Munya Andrews.

Ask any question about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture, without any fear during the training – get an honest answer and have some laughs along the way!

Whether online or in the room, your employees will be enlightened, uplifted, and inspired to better understand Indigenous people and create an inclusive community with our cultural awareness training.

Online, on-demand, anytime and anywhere or facilitator-led education – we have cultural awareness training services for businesses of all sizes.

Co-led by non-Indigenous Community Engagement specialist, award-winning Learning Designer and Ally, Carla Rogers.

Our in-person workshops are available in all capital cities and are led by a local Evolve Accredited Facilitator team, one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous, modelling Allyship.

We tailor our cultural training packages to meet your business objectives, Reconciliation goals, and budget. Our Indigenous cultural training program helps with corporate team building and raises cultural awareness.

For professionals seeking to understand Indigenous culture and gain recognition as Reconciliation and Allyship leaders in their workplace.

Real stories

★★★★★

“I was keen to increase my understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Evolve program gave me practical tools and strategies like when and how to give an Acknowledgement of Country. I increased my knowledge in some unexpected areas too, including about privilege. I highly recommend working with Evolve to anyone who values reconciling what has happened in the past and positively impacting how we move forward.”

testimonial profile Adelaide ThompsonCampaign Unit Manager, Cancer Council NSW

★★★★

“Working with Evolve has been a great partnership towards increasing our organisational cultural awareness at a national level. The tailored programs are highly interactive and experiential. I have observed our staff walking away with increased levels of confidence, understanding and inspiration and often with the positive exclamation ‘best training ever’.”

testimonial profile Adrian CheathamAssistant Director, Workplace Diversity Team Australian Taxation Office

★★★★★

“Cancer Council NSW is committed to Closing the Gap in the higher rates of cancer experienced by Aboriginal peoples. To achieve this, it is critical that we create a workplace that is culturally welcoming for all Aboriginal staff. By increasing our cultural awareness, we hope members of Aboriginal communities will be more comfortable to work with us in creating a cancer free future. Before working with Evolve, we underestimated the time to consult and plan culturally appropriate programs. There was a sense that we could rush in, albeit with good intentions, and just tinker and tailor around the edges. After working with Evolve, I noticed within myself and observed in others a deeper understanding about the need for flexibility. Embracing a Dadirri approach of deep listening, we have adjusted our existing programs. This has inspired our creativity to take us closer to meet our client’s needs and develop stronger partnerships. The Evolve programs are encouraging, positive and extremely practical. It was great to experience the training at an Executive level, and with my own team who work on Cancer Programs. Both were pitched perfectly. I learnt much more than I expected, and I was also respectfully challenged to become more aware of what I didn’t know. I highly recommend Evolve to organisations working on Closing the Gap, irrespective of where you are on this journey.”

testimonial profile Kathy ChapmanDirector, Cancer Programs Division, Cancer Council NSW

★★★★★

“We thoroughly enjoy working with the Evolve team. They have an extraordinary capacity to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where staff feel completely comfortable asking all the hard questions. Their creative use of humour and capacity to tailor the program to meet the specific needs of the group is exceptional. Many of our staff tell us it is the best cultural competency training they have ever experienced and has transformed their approach to working with Aboriginal health organisations. I encourage others to partner with Evolve because of their strategic, thorough and holistic approach.”

testimonial profile Kristen TooheyProject Manager Aboriginal Programs, Cancer Council NSW

★★★★★

“Illawarra Forum I wanted to increase my connections and involvement in working with Aboriginal communities. Through the Evolve program, I achieved this and more. I made great connections with other service providers who shared this interest. I learnt many new skills and ideas that increased my confidence in working with Aboriginal Communities. This includes a deeper understanding of our First Australians and their early history, Indigeneity and connection to land and Country, and the importance of ‘Sorry business’. I now understand ‘lateral violence’, how it arises and where to find information about how to deal with it. I highly recommend this training to others. Munya is a great teacher, with a unique combination of gentleness, strength and amazing intelligence. What a woman!”

testimonial profile Jenni DevineAllied Health Assistant Coordinator Community Health, Southern NSW Local Health District

Our story

Founded by Carla Rogers and Aunty Munya Andrews, Evolve Communities was built on a shared vision for a more inclusive Australia. The Evolve Communities team is made up of Indigenous educators and non-Indigenous Allies, delivering cultural awareness programs that foster connection, allyship and reconciliation.

Measurable change across Australia

30,000+

People trained & accredited.

100%

Indigenous-led facilitation.

95%

Client satisfaction rate.

FAQs

Our facilitators have cheerfully answered everything – this is a safe space for learning.

What are the business benefits of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence?
Studies have shown the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion is stronger than ever and the most inclusive organisations are also the most profitable! In Australia, it’s not possible to be an inclusive organisation if your employees lack cultural competency.

Our Cultural Competence training focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness and can help your organisation to:
– Effectively engage and develop meaningful professional relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisations.
– Attract, develop, and retain Indigenous talent to create a dynamic, diverse, and high-performance workplace.
– Safeguard your brand against the reputational damage that can result from cultural misunderstandings.
– Understand, develop, and champion a Reconciliation Action Plan that delivers positive change.
– Develop leadership skills with Evolve’s tried-and-tested R3 communication and conflict resolution framework.
– Create a culturally safe and inclusive workplace, where everyone belongs.
Does Evolve offer online cultural competence courses?
Yes! All of our Cultural Competency training can be delivered online. Our 7-Steps On-Demand Cultural Awareness Training Course is the most accessible starting place to develop cultural awareness and inspire Allyship throughout your organisation. Our Yarning Webinars provide options to deepen understanding of specific topics and we also offer online Yarning Circles, RAP Coaching, and Allyship Accreditation for your management teams and RAP committee. You can explore our cultural education training programs here.
Does Evolve offer in-person cultural awareness training?
Yes! We’ll come to your place of business in any major city in Australia. Our Yarning Circle Workshops are delivered by our Accredited Facilitator team, one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous, modelling Allyship. Let us take your leaders, managers, HR team or RAP committee (up to 30 people) on an immersive journey through the 7 Steps to Reconciliation and Allyship™. Learn more about our in-person workshops here.
Does the online cultural competence training offer the same thing as in-person workshops?
Yes! Our online cultural competence training programs offer the same information and services as in-person workshops. Our Co-Director Carla Rogers is an award winning learning designer who was teaching others how to deliver effective online courses long before COVID forced us all to adapt. Evolve has been offering online solutions for years. As such we can guarantee the same level of engagement and effectiveness whether you opt to receive our facilitator-led training remotely or in-person.
Is it okay to just say “Aboriginal cultural awareness training”?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia. Aboriginal people comprise diverse Aboriginal nations, each with their own language and traditions and have historically lived on mainland Australia, Tasmania, or on many of the continent’s offshore islands.

Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands of the Torres Strait, between the tip of Cape York in Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Torres Strait Islanders are of Melanesian origin with their own distinct identity, history, and cultural traditions. Many Torres Strait Islanders live on mainland Australia.

If you only talk about Aboriginal cultural awareness, you are leaving out Torres Strait Islander peoples who are also Indigenous Australians.

An important way to show respect is to use the right terms when referring to Indigenous people. Terms that are okay to use are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, First peoples, Indigenous Australians, First Nations, or First Australians.
It is respectful to use “people” or “peoples” after the terms “Aboriginal” and “Torres Strait Islander” and to always capitalise.
How can I help improve cultural competence in Australia?
Congratulations, you have already begun! Educating ourselves and others is the first step towards creating a more culturally aware, kind, and inclusive Australia.
We invite you to enjoy and share our many free educational resources:
Read our Cultural Awareness blog and subscribe to our newsletter
Download the 2026 Calendar of Significant Indigenous Dates
Ask Aunty Munya any question about Aboriginal people and culture
Do the Indigenous Cultural Awareness Quiz
Take The Online Privilege Walk
Learn what the Aboriginal Flag represents
If you are ready to take your commitment further as an individual, we encourage you to read our book, Practical Reconciliation and join the Evolve Webinar Subscription.
For those seeking a professional qualification, consider becoming an Evolve Accredited Ally.