Intimacy & Colonisation
WWF: Undeniably famous for being nature's antiseptic, First Peoples also used several species of eucalyptus as tonics for countless ailments including gastro-intestinal problems.
Intimacy and Colonisation: A reflection on “Australia Day”, also known as “Invasion Day” (January 26) from an IC’s perspective.
As Intimacy Coordinators, our work revolves around consent, respect, and fostering deep connections rooted in care and understanding. These principles don’t just apply to scenes of touch—they resonate in how we navigate our shared histories and relationships as a nation.
January 26 isn’t a day of celebration for everyone. For First Nations Australians, it runs deep—marking colonisation, dispossession, and generations of trauma. Like any intimate touch, this history holds profound meaning, layered with emotion, memory, and pain. In response to the problems associated with celebrating colonisation, many folks have reclaimed the day and renamed it from Australia Day to Invasion Day, better representing what the day symbolises for the land and the original caretakers of that land.
To celebrate on this date is to overlook the closeness we owe one another as a nation: the closeness of listening, acknowledging harm, and standing together in solidarity. True connection requires respect and a willingness to face discomfort for the sake of healing. Just as intimacy work teaches us to honour boundaries and prioritise care, we can approach this conversation with the same tenderness. Changing the date is about creating an inclusive and supportive space for all Australians—a space where we can truly connect, deeply and authentically.
While PIP is a “Canada” based company, we internationally train and mentor folks, including those in “Australia”. “Canada” has its own violent history of colonisation, and we stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and allies around the world. The intersection of intimacy — consent, boundaries, sovreignty, autonomy — is something we explore with our students and in our work as professionals.
Call to action: Research your local Indigenous plants for those used for reproductive health.
“No English words are good enough to give a sense of the links between an Aboriginal group and its homeland. Our word ‘home’, warm and suggestive though it may be, does not match the Aboriginal word that may mean ‘camp’, ‘hearth’, ‘country’, ‘everlasting home’, ‘totem place’, ‘life source’, ‘spirit centre’, and much else all in one. Our word‘land’ is too spare and meagre.”
This blog post was written in collaboration with PIP’s Social Media Team, which is comprised of several Launchpad students training to become Intimacy Professionals through our energy exchange initiative.
