Benefit sharing / positionality statement
This article is an opinion piece designed to communicate the responsibilities of ecological researchers in Australia as that research pertains to the emerging field of sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous communities. As such, there is no new data to provide or site. The authors identify in the following ways. DL is a Woolwonga woman, AB is a Wadi Wadi and Yuin Nation man, and BL is a non-Indigenous man, and they are visitors to the Kaurna Land on which they live and work; ​RS is a Kaurna/Narungga woman from South Australia and Indigenous Fijian from SavuSavu, Fiji Islands, currently living and working on her Kaurna homelands; AH is a Walubara Yidinji woman, from Cairns, Far North Queensland who is a visitor to the Ngunnawal Land on which she lives and works. All authors endeavour to walk on these respective Country with care. This work aims to highlight the importance of researcher collaboration with the diverse Indigenous identities in modern day Australia. The authors hold no authority to represent all Indigenous peoples across Australia and thank those who entrust their knowledge to their care.