Pay the Rent

Living & working on stolen land

I grew up in the UK but have been incredibly lucky to call this beautiful Country home for the past 10+ years. Living here has given me a strong appreciation for the diverse landscapes, vast oceans, and unique creatures that make it so special, but it has also made me aware that this land, cared for and protected for tens of thousands of years, is stolen land. Stolen from First Nations communities, along with their language, culture, and families. The same land on which we now live, work, and profit.

Recognising this, I feel a responsibility not only to stand in solidarity with First Nations communities whose sovereignty has never been ceded, but also to give back in the hope of helping build an Australia where all people can live and thrive, and where all cultures are celebrated and protected.

What does 'Pay The Rent' mean?

Pay The Rent is a grassroots collective honouring Aboriginal sovereignty by inviting non-Indigenous people to make financial contributions directly to First Nations communities and causes. To Pay the Rent means to recognise that we live and work on stolen land, and to contribute in a way that moves towards justice and self-determination for First Nations peoples.

Why it’s important

Australia is founded on land stolen from Indigenous peoples, and the wealth generated by that theft has not been shared equally. Every day, people eat food grown on Indigenous land, drink water flowing across it, and live in houses built upon it. Businesses continue to profit from this land, and it is still traded for financial gain, while First Nations people remain deliberately marginalised from power and resources, and the impacts of colonisation remain devastating.

This land was never empty. Sovereignty was never ceded. 

Acknowledging Country is one step, but Paying the Rent is a way to move beyond words into meaningful action. It is part of a process that all non-Indigenous people need to enter if we are to move towards truth, justice, equality, and liberation for First Nations people.

How Meraki Studio helps

At Meraki Studio, $5 from every piece of jewellery sold is contributed directly to Pay The Rent. This is one step in my commitment to acknowledging the true history of this Country and ensuring that my work gives back to the communities whose land we live and work on.

Alongside financial contributions, I am dedicated to acknowledging and advocating for Aboriginal sovereignty and supporting First Nations-led causes.

How you can help

• Contribute directly to Pay The Rent website
• Learn and listen by seeking out First Nations voices, history, and culture
• Act locally by supporting community-led initiatives, attending events, and engaging in meaningful conversations
• Reflect on privilege and consider ongoing ways to give back, both financially and through everyday actions