First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift
The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift program (FNCCU) is a state-wide initiative designed to build the cultural capability of legal professionals across Victoria. The project is led by VALS in partnership with the Institute of Victoria (LIV) and Victoria Legal Aid (VLA), initiated in response to recommendations from the inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson, a proud Gunditjimara, Dja Dja Wurung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman. It is well established that First Nations peoples in Victoria frequently experience inadequate interactions with legal practitioners, organisations, and the justice system, and that this lack of culturally appropriate and safe advocacy and support often translates into poor justice outcomes.
The uplift comprises of:
A Framework for Strengthening First Nations Cultural Capability (hereafter, the Framework)
An overarching Framework that identifies thirteen cultural capability domains, each with identified knowledge to develop, skills to build and supporting attitudes to foster;Training
Foundational and specialist training for individual legal practitioners focused on understanding and developing these capability domains;A Better Practice Guide
Provided to participants who have complete the training, this Guide provides practical guidance, tips, tools and resources that individual practitioners can use to support their training ‘back in the office’ and maintain their learning;Community of Practice monthly sessions (6 over 6 months)
To further consolidate learning.
The First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift program was developed for the Victorian legal sector for several reasons:
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First Nations peoples in Australia are a sovereign people with unique rights, as recognised in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They occupy a unique position accordingly, that is not equivalent to that of other culturally and linguistically diverse groups within Australia.
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Victorian and Australian law have been fundamental to the historical colonial oppression and dispossession of First Nations peoples. Notwithstanding the good intentions of many, the legal and justice systems uniquely target First Nations peoples, creating and perpetuating inequities and harm.
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Culturally accessible, safe, and responsive legal services play a key role in reducing disadvantage and strengthening the justice equity outcomes experienced by First Nations peoples.
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The reality of the legal workforce means that there is a need for good allies. The percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practising solicitors is only 0.8% of the total nationally. Given this many First Nations clients, businesses and organisations will need to be assisted by non-First Nations practitioners and organisations.
Training & Better Practice Guidance:
This training brings to life the FNCCU Framework’s capability domains to support legal practitioners to work in a culturally responsive and empowering way with First Nations clients. Participants will develop or strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need on their journey of cultural capability.
At its core, this project aims to improve access to culturally safe, responsive, and equitable legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Foundational Learning Journey includes two connected parts:
Self-paced eLearn 2.5 hours (mandatory pre-requisite for in person training day)
Full day in person training, through which you will be given a copy of the Strengthening First Nations Cultural Capability in the Victorian Legal Sector: Better Practice Guide
There are no prerequisites to enrol in the foundational training. However, to attend the in-person session you must first complete the eLearning module and then attend the full-day training within a specified timeframe.
The eLearning is a mandatory prerequisite for the in-person training and must be completed within 15 business days leading up to the scheduled in person training session. The eLearn provides foundational knowledge needed to support the in-person training to focus on developing the skills and attitudes needed for culturally safe and responsive legal practice.
Who is the training for?
Legal practitioners working in Victoria. This includes:
- Solicitors
- Barristers
- Legal secretaries
- Paralegals
- Those working in non-legal support roles
This training is for all legal practitioners listed above; whether you have been in your role for months or years you are invited to participate.
Foundational Learning Journey Learning Objectives:
- Increased knowledge and understanding about history of settler colonial impact and ongoing impact of legal system
- Increased capability to reflect on you attitudes and positionality in delivering culturally safe and responsive services
- Skill development for culturally safe and responsive practice with First Nations clients
- Increased confidence to deliver culturally safe and responsive services to First Nations clients.
Foundational Training Dates:
In 2026, our focus will be on partnering with Victorian Legal Aid and Community Legal Centres, with the goal of expanding delivery to private practices in 2027.
A workshop calendar will be released soon, in the meantime please register your interest below to receive updates.
If you are interested in hosting an ‘in-house’ workshop at your organisation or would like to collaborate with another Community Legal Centre to co-host, please register your interest below and we will be in touch (15-20 attendees)
FNCCU Framework:
First Nations Cultural Capability Framework for the Victorian Legal Profession
Read and download the First Nations Cultural Capability Framework for the Victorian Legal Profession
Acknowledgements
We, the partners of the First Nations Cultural Capability Uplift project, acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the land, skies and waterways upon which our lives depend. We acknowledge and pay our respects to ancestors of this country, Elders, knowledge holders and leaders – past, present, and emerging. We recognise that First Nations peoples frequently experience inadequate interactions with legal practitioners, organisations, and the justice system, and that this lack of culturally appropriate and responsive advocacy and support often translates to poor outcomes. We acknowledge the ongoing leadership of Aboriginal communities and ACCOs in striving to improve justice outcomes and address these perpetual and ongoing inequalities.
Strengthening Practice, Upholding Justice Webinar
This was filmed on June 23, 2025 and explains this landmark initiative to improve the experiences of First Nations people seeking legal advice and representation in Victoria.
Panellists include:
– Tim Goodwin (Moderator), Barrister
– Ashley Morris Director of First Nations Services, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
– Adam Awty CEO of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)
– Fiona McLeay Commissioner of the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB)
– Nerita Waight CEO of VALS
© All artwork copyrights are reserved to artist, Reanna Bono (Wemba Wemba & Wiradjuri).