Get to Know Jarvis Atkinson: First Nations Advocate for Australian Specialist Hub
This NAIDOC Week, we are proud to introduce Mr Jarvis Atkinson, First Nations advocate for Australian Specialist Hub.
NAIDOC Week 2026 runs from 5 to 12 July, and this year marks a major milestone with the theme 50 Years of Deadly, celebrating five decades of pride, strength and resilience across First Nations communities. It felt like the right moment to share Mr Atkinson’s story and the work he does every day to make health and justice systems safer for First Nations people.
The moment that changed everything
It wasn’t in a boardroom, a classroom or an office. It was a hospital bed.
“I woke up and looked at my name tag. It said ‘Unknown’.”
After being found unconscious on train tracks following an overdose, he woke surrounded by tubes, monitors and strangers. But what stayed with him wasn’t the medical equipment. It was the feeling of not being seen.
“I just felt like I wasn’t known.”
Today that experience shapes everything he does.
Working at the intersection of health, justice and community
A First Nations advocate and cultural safety consultant based in Victoria, Mr Atkinson is passionate about creating culturally safe spaces for First Nations people. He helps organisations understand what genuine engagement actually looks like.
For Mr Atkinson it starts with something simple: relationships.
“We’re not just a piece of paper. We’re people. We move better when we know someone and when we can trust them.”
It’s a philosophy built on lived experience. He knows firsthand how intimidating healthcare systems can feel, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may already carry generations of mistrust, trauma or exclusion.
So what makes a difference?
“Take the time to get to know someone. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just make the effort.”
Whether it’s understanding cultural protocols, recognising the impact of Sorry Business, or simply creating a welcoming environment, Mr Atkinson believes small actions can have a profound impact.
Doing the work for the next generation
Outside of his professional work, Mr Atkinson is a proud parent and grandparent. When he talks about reconciliation, it’s often through the lens of future generations.
“If we don’t do this work now, we’re leaving it for our children to pick up the pieces.”
It’s a message that feels both hopeful and urgent, and it sits at the heart of what NAIDOC Week is about.
After spending time with Mr Atkinson, one thing becomes clear. Creating meaningful change doesn’t always start with grand gestures. Sometimes it starts with making sure someone feels seen, heard and known.
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