ABSTRACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the oldest living custodians in the world. However, Australian identity has been purposefully established to exclude Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contributing to systemic oppression and harmful consequences. Understanding the perspectives and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people regarding Australian identity is imperative for guiding genuinely beneficial strategies aimed at fostering inclusivity. This research employed hermeneutic phenomenology and unstructured interviews to explore the conceptualisations, lived experiences, and preferences for Australian identity among five Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants. Four key themes emerged: ‘walking in two worlds’, ‘Australian identity is racist’, ‘journey to finding connection’, and ‘truth‐telling is a necessity’. These findings highlight that participants viewed truth‐telling, national treaty‐making, and policy reform as important for addressing systemic racism. Their perspectives emphasise the value of self‐determination in shaping a more inclusive Australian identity and point to the need for continued efforts toward reconciliation.
Farrugia et al. (Thu,) studied this question.