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Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care | 5th SNAICC National Conference | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together Gibla Guddi Njudjun Wabu Minjaan Title translated in the language of Gimuy Yidinji (Cairns) | 4-6 June 2013 | Cairns Convention Centre CONFERENCE REPORT | www.snaicc.org.au | Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care Published by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care Inc. (SNAICC) Suite 8, Level 1, 252–260 St Georges Road North Fitzroy Victoria 3068 Ph: (03) 9489 8099 Fax: (03) 9489 8044 Email: [email protected] Web: www.snaicc.org.au Published September 2013 For Our Children: Living and Learning Together. Report of the 5th SNAICC National Conference is the report of the SNAICC National Conference held at the Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Qld. from 4 to 6 June 2013. © SNAICC 2013 Conference Report designed by Mazart Design Studio www.mazartdesignstudio.com A number of keynote speeches and workshop presentations from SNAICC 2013 National Conference are available from SNAICC’s website: www.snaicc.org.au/conference Copyright The copyright of For Our Children: Living and Learning Together of the 5th SNAICC National Conference, including the photographs and artwork, is held by SNAICC (© 2013) except for the keynote speeches and photographs from the original conference program. Copyright for keynote speeches is retained by their authors (copyright 2013), copyright for photographs published in the original conference program is held by the photographers, used under exclusive license by SNAICC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication should be reproduced in part or whole without the prior authorisation of SNAICC. Warning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication includes images of people who may have since passed away, and seeing them may cause hurt to some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Other recent SNAICC publications SNAICC publications can be ordered online at www.snaicc.org.au or by contacting the SNAICC office. CONTENTS What is SNAICC ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Thank you ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Our Achievements ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Tuesday 4 June ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Wednesday 5 June .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Thursday 6 June ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Keynote speeches The right to culture for indigenous children in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. BY MS MARTA MAURAS PEREZ .............................................................................................................. 29 Just because we are small does not mean we can’t stand tall. BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR CINDY BLACKSTOCK ............................................................................. 37 Integrated health and social services: How they contribute to equity and good outcomes for Indigenous families. BY PROFESSOR CINDY KIRO .................................................................................................................. 41 The right to and importance of education for Yolngu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids. BY KATHY GUTHADJAKA (GOTHA) ........................................................................................................ 45 Working together to heal Generational trauma within Aboriginal children and their families. BY PROFESSOR JUDY ATKINSON .......................................................................................................... 49 Self-Determination and Collaboration BY APRIL LONG & KRISTA MCMEEKEN ................................................................................................. 51 2013 Conference Program .............................................................................................................................. 59 page 2 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together WHAT IS SNAICC The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. SNAICC was formally established in 1981 after the creation of such a body was proposed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the ‘First Aboriginal Child Survival Seminar’ held in Melbourne in 1979. The organisation elected its first national executive in 1982 and has received Federal Government funding support from 1983. This year SNAICC also marks a milestone as it is SNAICC’s 30 year anniversary as a funded organisation. SNAICC has a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based child care agencies, Multi-functional Aboriginal Children’s Services, creches, long day care child care services, pre schools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care agencies, link up and family reunification services, family group homes, community groups and voluntary associations, and services for young people at risk. SNAICC also has a network and subscriber base of over 1400 organisations and individuals, mostly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, but also significant numbers of other community based services and individuals and state and federal agencies with an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children. Our Vision An Australian society in which our Aims and Objectives communities are empowered to • To advocate for the cultural, emotional, determine their own future, where the social, spiritual, physical and economic rights of our children, young people needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait and families are protected, our cultural Islander children. identity and achievements are valued and • To pursue Aboriginal and Torres Strait our children and families have access to Islander community based and controlled culturally appropriate services. responses to the welfare and support needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. • To promote the early childhood development needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. • To work toward the elimination of Our Mission all forms of poverty and confront injustice which impacts upon the lives To provide a strong voice for Aboriginal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander children children. and families through a national body which represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s services and promotes the rights, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. | SNAICC Conference Report | page 3 Aims and Objectives (cont.) • To promote public awareness and • Secured an agreement from the Australian understanding of the historical and Government (through FaHCSIA), to develop a contemporary practices whereby Aboriginal and National Indigenous Child Care Plan. Following Torres Strait Islander children have been forcibly the change in government, key elements were removed from their families and the ongoing then implemented through COAG framework consequences of these practices. agreement in 2006. • To encourage, support and assist member • Convened ‘Our Future Generations: National organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Indigenous Child Welfare and Development Islander communities to develop independent Seminar’ with the Commonwealth, ATSIC, and and sustainable responses to the needs of the Victorian Government in 2003. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children • Research and publication of a paper on child and families. abuse and neglect in the Northern Territory in • To collaborate with other Indigenous peoples, 2003, State of Denial – the Neglect and Abuse governments, non-government agencies, the of Indigenous Children in the Northern Territory. corporate sector, international organisations • Convening the second National Aboriginal and and others in pursuing the rights of Aboriginal Torres Strait Island child Survival conference in and Torres Strait Islander children. June 1997, a National Conference in Adelaide • To advocate for the right of all Aboriginal and in 2007, in Alice Springs in 2010 and attracting Torres Strait Islander children to grow up in over 1100 people for a National Conference in a community free from the harmful effects of Cairns in 2013. violence, child abuse and child neglect. • Production of Through Black Eyes - Family • To support the development of policy positions Violence Resource Handbook in 1991 and 1992 on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait which was updated and developed into the Islander children and promote Aboriginal and Through Young Black Eyes Handbook