Cultural load

Cultural load is the additional workload borne by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the workplace and community to provide cultural advice. Colonial load refers to the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation on Indigenous peoples, particularly the burdens and traumas resulting from colonial practices, policies, and attitudes. It encompasses the negative consequences of colonisation that Indigenous communities continue to experience, including racism.

Understanding the distinction between cultural and colonial load and responding to them appropriately forms part of an organisation cultural competency and enhances meaningful dialogue, engagement and services as well as staff engagement and well-being of Aboriginal staff.

Key aspects of colonial load

Historical Trauma: Colonial load includes the lasting effects of dispossession, forced removals, cultural suppression, and systemic discrimination that Aboriginal people face. This trauma is often passed down through generations, known as intergenerational trauma.

Cultural Disruption: It highlights the loss of language, customs, and traditions that have occurred due to colonisation and the efforts to erase Aboriginal cultures.

Power Dynamics: Colonial load emphasises the ongoing disparities in power, rights, and resources between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, which can perpetuate social and economic inequalities.

Barriers to Reconciliation: Understanding colonial load is essential for acknowledging historical injustices and promoting healing and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.

Relationship to cultural load

Intersection: Cultural load and colonial load can intersect, as Aboriginal peoples often navigate the complexities of their cultural identity in a context influenced by the historical and ongoing effects of colonisation in modern Australia.

Cultural Resilience: While colonial load imposes burdens, cultural load represents the strength and resilience of Aboriginal cultures. Efforts to reclaim and celebrate cultural heritage can serve as a response to the challenges posed by colonial load.

Reconciliation and Healing: Addressing colonial load involves acknowledging historical injustices and creating spaces for cultural revival and expression, Truth Telling and Truth Listening and supporting individuals to embrace their culture fully

Addressing unpaid cultural load expectations

Promote cultural awareness: establishing support structures and value the contributions of diverse employees to create a culturally safe and respectful work environment.

Create formal roles or committees: for seeking cultural education and advice. Recognise and compensate Aboriginal people who engage in cultural education efforts, providing them with opportunities to contribute to training sessions or community outreach programs.

Promote inclusive organisational culture: acknowledge and celebrate the cultural contributions of employees through formal recognition programs, events and encouraging open dialogue about cultural issues and diversity.

Links and resources

Diversity Council Australia

Racism It Stops with Me – Human Rights Commission

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