Knowledge sharing, relationship building and celebrating Indigenous voices, cultures and innovations were on the agenda as 2000 people converged on the Gold Coast last week.
Delegates from across the nation attended the 2026 Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Summit, where they were encouraged to reflect on the event’s theme of Our Truth. Our Power. Our Future.
Taking place on the lands of the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language region, the summit highlighted the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in shaping narratives, driving change, and leading future directions for communities.
Embrace Aboriginal Project Officer Thomas Betts, presenting as part of the summit’s Contemporary Innovation in Health stream, shared findings from MRFF-funded research into the cultural safety of mainstream mental health services.
Thomas showcased safe yarning cards that were developed during the project with community input, highlighting the importance of community guidance throughout the research journey.
“There was strong engagement throughout my presentation, particularly in response to the safe yarning cards,” Thomas said.
Attendees expressed appreciation for both the significance of the project and the way it centred the knowledge, experiences, and governance of Aboriginal people throughout the research process.
“The level of interest was overwhelming, with numerous questions during the session and a queue of attendees waiting afterwards to continue conversations and learn more about the project.”
Feedback Thomas received from among the approximately 80 attendees was interest in future adaptations of the cards, including a version for younger kids, as well as a desire to discuss broader application across services and settings.
The works and a preliminary findings report will be placed within the AIATSIS archive, ensuring the work contributes to ongoing knowledge sharing.
“Overall, the summit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the project on the national stage, connect with researchers, practitioners, and community leaders, and to demonstrate how Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing can strengthen cultural safety within child and adolescent mental health services,” Thomas said.
Read more about our cultural safety research here, and view resources including the safe yarning cards here.
Embrace is supported by its principal partner Rio Tinto and Channel 7 Telethon Trust.
Ashley Reid with Thomas Betts at the 2026 AIATSIS Summit.
First published Wednesday 10 June 2026.
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