Cultivating A Connection To Country As A Non-Indigenous Person

As parents, we often think about the lessons we want to pass down to our children like kindness, resilience, curiosity, but one of the most powerful things we can teach them is a deep connection to the land they walk on every day.

As a non-Indigenous person, I’ve often wondered about my relationship with the land I live on. Can I form a connection with Country in a way that is meaningful and respectful or is it a closed cultural practice, or is there space for all of us to nurture that bond?

Recently, I came across a response on TikTok from Aunty Munya of Evolve Communities that deeply resonated with me. When asked whether non-Indigenous people should form a connection with Country, she generously shared that it is not only appropriate—it’s important.

“You need to feel like you belong to this land, because when you do, you take care of it.”

What a profound truth. Connection to Country isn’t just about where we live, but about how we listen to the land, the ecosystems, the plants, the waterways, and even the weather. It’s about recognising that the land is alive, that it speaks, and that we have a role in caring for it.

For First Nations people, Country is family—a relationship that carries deep responsibility and reverence. And while we will never fully understand that depth of connection, we can still learn from it and build our own respectful relationships with the land.

Ways to Encourage Connection to Country with Kids

💛 Start with Awareness – Whether you live in the city, by the coast, or in the bush, take time to observe the land, weather, and wildlife with your child. What birds do you hear in the morning? How does the air feel before a storm?

💛 Use the Language of Respect – Acknowledge that we are on Indigenous land and that it has been cared for by First Nations peoples for thousands of years. If you know the Traditional Custodians of your area, share this knowledge with your child.

💛 Encourage Curiosity – If your child has a special interest in plants, animals, or the weather, nurture it! Read books, visit cultural centres, and explore nature together. Country has so much to teach us when we stop and listen.

💛 Practice Giving Back – Whether it’s picking up litter, planting trees, or simply treating nature with care, small actions show our children that we are caretakers of the land, not just visitors.

💛 Listen & Learn Together – Seek out Indigenous voices, stories, and perspectives on Country. Many local organisations, libraries, and cultural centres offer programs and resources to help deepen understanding.

Let’s raise kids who listen to the land, walk gently on it, and grow with a deep appreciation for the Country that sustains us all.