Cross-cultural research brings together research partners with different worldviews, each with distinct ontologies, or ways of understanding the world. The hegemony of Western science has led to Indigenous ontologies, as well as methodologies being ignored or undervalued by Western scientists. Assumptions that Western concepts are universally understood and accepted are inaccurate and can perpetuate mutual incomprehension even in collaborative projects. Deliberate actions to make connections between Indigenous and Western ontologies to ensure mutual understanding are essential if we are to achieve equitable two-way knowledge sharing in conservation science. In this presentation, our cross-cultural research team of Yolŋu (Indigenous) and Balanda (Western, here Euro- Australian) researchers reflect on the application of Yolŋu dhawurrpunaramirri (both- ways discussion and negotiation) as an Indigenous research approach to guide the cross- cultural negotiation of Western science concepts and results. These concepts and results were central to a wildlife genetics research project conducted collaboratively by the research team. Through dhawurrpunaramirri we identified and negotiated key Yolŋu Matha (language) concepts that enabled discussion and clarification of Western scientific ontology and epistemology. Yolŋu social organisation (including clan-based and ceremonial connections) emerged as an overarching source of metaphor to culturally inform mutual comprehension of genetics concepts and research results. This process also enabled the co-generation of Yolŋu Matha (language) communication outputs founded on Yolŋu concepts. We recommend other researchers and cross-cultural research teams, alongside Western science educators, respect, and actively work to bridge incommensurable ontologies to enable equitable two-way knowledge systems. By finding common ground, respecting Indigenous knowledges and negotiating meanings across knowledge systems we work towards decolonising science and advancing global biocultural conservation and Indigenous rights.