Yula, also known as Short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris), are important cultural kin for Tasmanian Aboriginal People (pakana). A continuous food and medicine resource for countless generations, yula have also helped pakana to survive British colonial dispossession over the last 221 years. Growing global environmental changes associated with industrialisation and colonialism has increased pressures on both yula and pakana. In this study, the pakana Community worked collaboratively with researchers, to grow an understanding of the impacts of environmental plastics on yula, while aligning the study to the needs and priorities of the pakana Community. One study site was Big Dog Island where yula are traditionally harvested. While majority of birds had ingested plastics (92% (4.97 ± 3.97 items, n= 386), this study found no clear impact on morphology or fledgling success at the levels observed. However, studies from closely related species suggest that plastic ingestion in yula should be monitored given the global trends of marine debris increase. Throughout this study there was a focus on building trust, relationships, and two-way knowledge exchange. Processes were implemented to respect and protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. The results from the study were also disseminated in a format as requested by pakana community.