Hands intertwined reaching for a rising sun over a decolonized landscape.

Beyond Buzzwords: What Does Being an Ally Really Mean?

Soraya Malik in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Decolonization, Indigenization, and allyship - navigating the complexities for transformative change."

The term 'ally' has become increasingly prevalent in discussions surrounding social justice, equity, and decolonization. But what does it truly mean to be an ally, especially in the context of Indigenous rights and social transformation? This question is not merely semantic; it requires continuous reflection, action, and commitment.

Drawing from a presentation at the 10th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, this exploration delves into the multifaceted nature of allyship, particularly concerning Indigenous methodologies. It emphasizes that allyship is not a static label but an evolving process shaped by ongoing learning, humility, and genuine support.

Inspired by Eve Tuck and Wayne Yang's assertion that 'decolonization is not a metaphor,' we must understand that for Indigenous peoples, colonization is a living reality—not a historical event. Therefore, decolonization demands tangible actions and cannot be diluted into a mere symbolic gesture applicable to other areas of social improvement.

Moving Beyond Metaphors: Embracing Real Decolonization

Hands intertwined reaching for a rising sun over a decolonized landscape.

Decolonization, at its core, involves the repatriation of Indigenous land and life. It is about addressing the ongoing impacts of colonization, which include systemic injustices, cultural erasure, and the denial of self-determination. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone seeking to be an effective ally.

Many well-intentioned individuals and organizations co-opt the language of decolonization to apply it to various social issues. While these efforts may be valuable, they risk overshadowing the specific needs and struggles of Indigenous communities. Allyship requires recognizing and respecting the unique context of Indigenous experiences.

Acknowledge the Land: Recognize and honor the Indigenous territories on which you live and work. Learn about the history, treaties, and current issues facing local Indigenous communities.
Support Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Prioritize and amplify the voices and actions of Indigenous peoples. Support their self-determined goals and initiatives.
Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Seek out reliable sources and challenge your own biases and assumptions.
Advocate for Policy Change: Support policies and legislation that advance Indigenous rights and address systemic inequalities.
Challenge Colonial Structures: Critically examine and challenge the colonial systems and structures that perpetuate injustice and inequality.

To frame your approach to allyship, consider these actionable steps. First , continually asking: What does it mean to be an ally in this specific context? On the surface, the question appears simple; however, it is fluid and dynamic, making the answers many, varied, and continually changing.

Allyship as a Verb: Ongoing Actions and Commitments

Ultimately, effective allyship is not a static identity but an ongoing practice. It requires continuous learning, self-reflection, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. By centering Indigenous voices, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and advocating for systemic change, we can move beyond performative allyship toward genuine social transformation. This journey demands both humility and courage, recognizing that true allyship is about solidarity, respect, and a shared commitment to justice.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1525/irqr.2016.9.2.192, Alternate LINK

Title: Indigenous Methodologies As A Way Of Social Transformation

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Review of Qualitative Research

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Patrick Lewis

Published: 2016-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the core difference between performative allyship and genuine allyship, especially concerning Indigenous communities?

Performative allyship involves superficial gestures that don't lead to tangible change, while genuine allyship requires continuous learning, humility, and concrete actions that support Indigenous-led initiatives and advocate for systemic change. Genuine allyship is rooted in solidarity, respect, and a shared commitment to justice, moving beyond symbolic acts to address the real impacts of colonization. This requires acknowledging the specific needs and struggles of Indigenous communities, something often overshadowed when decolonization is used as a metaphor for other social issues.

How does the concept of 'Decolonization is not a metaphor' impact how I should approach allyship with Indigenous people?

Eve Tuck and Wayne Yang's assertion that 'decolonization is not a metaphor' means that decolonization is not a symbolic concept applicable to various social improvements. It directly addresses the ongoing impacts of colonization, demanding tangible actions like the repatriation of Indigenous land and life. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it emphasizes the specific needs and struggles of Indigenous communities and prevents the dilution of their experiences into broader, less focused efforts. This also requires allies to challenge colonial structures and advocate for policies that advance Indigenous rights.

What are some concrete steps I can take to be an effective ally to Indigenous communities?

Effective allyship involves several actionable steps. First, acknowledge the Indigenous territories where you live and work. Second, support Indigenous-led initiatives by prioritizing and amplifying their voices and actions. Third, educate yourself about Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Fourth, advocate for policy changes that advance Indigenous rights and address systemic inequalities. Finally, challenge colonial systems and structures that perpetuate injustice and inequality. These steps require ongoing effort and a commitment to continuous learning and self-reflection.

Why is it important to continually reflect on what it means to be an ally in specific contexts?

Being an ally is not a static identity but an evolving process. The meaning of allyship is fluid and dynamic, changing with different contexts and emerging needs within Indigenous communities. Continual reflection ensures that your actions remain relevant, respectful, and effective in supporting Indigenous self-determination. This ongoing evaluation helps to avoid performative allyship and fosters genuine, transformative action rooted in current realities and priorities.

How does understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization shape the role of an ally?

Understanding that colonization is a living reality for Indigenous peoples, not just a historical event, fundamentally shapes the role of an ally. It requires acknowledging the systemic injustices, cultural erasure, and denial of self-determination that continue to affect Indigenous communities. As an ally, this understanding compels you to actively challenge colonial structures, support Indigenous-led initiatives aimed at decolonization, and advocate for the repatriation of land and life. It moves beyond mere acknowledgment to proactive engagement in dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality.