Sasha Sarago

Sasha Sarago

First Nations Cultural Innovation Lead - Beauty and Technology

Biography

As a Yidinji and Jirrbal woman, Sasha is committed to incorporating decolonial thinking and First Nations philosophies into Western systems.

Her previous work at Parks Victoria, in the Managing Country Together division, focused on First Nations-led strategies for Indigenous tourism development and cultural heritage management projects.

Sasha is also the former editor and founder of Ascension magazine, Australia's first digital lifestyle platform for women of colour.

Her extensive research for her book Gigorou: It's Time to Reclaim Beauty. First Nations wisdom and womanhood, and TEDx talk 'The (De)colonising of Beauty', highlight her expertise in culture, diversity, and equity. Sasha's advocacy also extends to fostering Indigenous-owned and controlled economies through entrepreneurship and technology.

Research

Sasha’s research interests include:

  • Beauty, fashion and technology
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • First Nations philosophies
  • Cultural heritage management and preservation
  • Indigenous cultural knowledge and intellectual property
Professional
  • Author of Gigorou: It’s time to reclaim beauty. First Nations wisdom and womanhood (Pantera Press 2003).
  • TEDx talk ‘The (De)colonising of Beauty’ was selected as TED.com 2021 Editor’s Choice and TEDx Idea Challenge Global Showcase.
  • Writer and director of Too Pretty to Be Aboriginal and InsideOUT documentaries (featured at the Melbourne Women’s Film Festival 2020).
  • Guest appearances on NITV’s Awaken: Black Is Beautiful, SBS’s Insight: Growing Up Mixed Race and ABC’s The School that Tried to End Racism.
  • Published in The Guardian, SBS Voices, Sydney Morning Herald, Fashion Journal, Frankie, Peppermint, and Marie Claire magazines.