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 in 2002 Torres Strait Islander perspective’s on such and the Through Young Black Eyes Workshop issues to governments, other relevant bodies Kit it 2008. and the broader community. • Bringing to national prominence the story of • To highlight and seek recognition of the the ‘Stolen Generations’ when in 1991 SNAICC positive contribution Aboriginal and Torres was the first national organisation to call for a Strait Islander children and young people national inquiry into the ‘Stolen Generations’. make to their communities and the nation. • Developing the ‘Proposed Plan of Action for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in Aboriginal Communities’ in 1996. • Development of the National Aboriginal SNAICC’s Activities and Islander Children’s Day, NAICD, (August 4th SNAICC’s advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres each year), as a major annual event celebrated Strait Islander children and their families, starting by communities throughout Australia since from 1981 has resulted in many key milestones 1988. and achievements both in policy developments at SNAICC’s recent achievements include: state, territory and federal levels and in developing • Partnering with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous innovative and useful resources for the sector. organisations to launch a National Initiative to Key milestones have included: address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young • SNAICC successfully lobbied for a strong people in the child protection system. National Standards for Out-of-Home Care in 2010, which now require the participation • Celebrating 30 years as a funded organization of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in 2013. communities in decisions concerning the care • The 5th SNAICC National Conference, ‘For Our and placement of our children. Children: Living and Learning Together’, Cairns • The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies 4-6 June 2013. The conference attracted over (ACWA) and NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and 1100 delegates making it the largest national Community Care Secretariat (Absec) endorse gathering for our children and families. the SNAICC Service Development, Cultural • A public forum ‘Stop the Creation of Another Respect and Service Access Policy in 2007. Stolen Generation’ held on 14 June at Melbourne’s Federation Square. page 4 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
• Celebrating the 26th year of National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD) on 4 August. • Training and workforce development workshops expanded nationally and continue to contribute to build the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family services, to build confidence in using our resources, and to develop cultural competence for other services working with our communities. Developed and distributed several key resources including: • Supporting Carers to Care for our Children online resource launched to provide support for carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and ‘Raising Our Little Ones’ web resource launched to bring together traditional and contemporary child rearing practices. • Our Children, Our Culture, Our Way coffee table book published to celebrate 25 years of - National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAIDC). • Right Here, Right Now, Our Rights Matter child rights education kit produced for 2013. • Several policy papers and reports including Our Children, Our Dreaming discussion paper on the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. Supporting Transition to School for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children: What it means and what works? exploring current knowledge of how schools, communities, families and early childhood services can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to begin, and thrive at, primary school. • Out-of-Home-Care poster to interpret the National Standards Out-of-Home Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. • Through Young Black Eyes kit continues to support training in family violence, child abuse and neglect was updated with a 2013 edition released. • SNAICC’s Guide to Applying for Deductible Gift Recipient Status published to assist not- for-profit children’s and family services with fundraising.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 5 THANK YOU
SNAICC wishes to thank everyone that contributed to the success of the 5th SNAICC National Conference.
The culmination of the SNAICC Conference Shaun Coade, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander requires the input and participation of many people Healing Foundation, Vic. to ensure its success. SNAICC would like to thank Lisa Coulson, Director, Tasmanian Aboriginal Child everyone that contributed to the success of the Care Association Invermay,Tas. 2013 conference and particularly acknowledge some of the contributors below. April Long, Project Manager, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), NSW Firstly, we would like to start by thanking the Conference Expert Advisory Group. The group Shane Merritt, Psychologist, Early Childhood comprised of a number of experts and leaders Expert, NSW from around the country working on issues relating Krista McMeeken, Law Graduate, Corrs Chambers to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Westgarth Lawyers, WA Islander children and families, SNAICC National Executive and SNAICC members. The group Kerrie Tim, Special Advisor Indigenous participated in planning meetings and provided Engagement, Australian Public Service guidance and direction on the conference. Commission. ACT Desley Thompson (Chair) CEO, Cape York/Gulf A special mention to Desley Thompson for chairing Remote Area Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander the Expert Advisory Group and for her work and Child Care Advisory Association Inc. (RAATSICC), commitment during the conference. A huge thank- Cairns, QLD. you to Desley Thompson’s team at RAATSIC for volunteering their time during the conference to Geraldine Atkinson, President, Victorian Aboriginal support our event. Education Association Inc. Northcote, Vic.
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The conference could not have been a success Thanks you to all those involved in the Art & Craft without the hard work of the organising team, Market. In particular to Umi Arts, Darryl Harris and Poppy Bervanakis, SNAICC’s Conference Renee Harris, Yarrabah Arts Centre weavers and all Coordinator, Sharyn Low, Conference Secretariat the local artists and craftspeople that participated. and Larissa Walker, Conference Project Officer. The Balkanu and Cape York Arts Project for their Thanks also to all the SNAICC staff for their role assistance in producing our conference satchels. in assisting with the organising and running of We would also like to convey our appreciation to the conference and in particular Frank Hytten, the guests that spoke at our conference. Children’s Emma Sydenham and Catriona Elek for their input Commissioner, Megan Mitchell for addressing and direction. Thanks to SNAICC Chairperson, the opening of the conference. Our international Sharron Williams for her commitment and guest keynote speakers, Marta Maurás Perez, energy during the conference. Cindy Blackstock and Cynthia Kiro, and to our Thank-you to the traditional owners for welcoming Australian keynote speakers, Judy Atkinson, Kathy us onto their land and the community of Cairns Guthadjaka (Gotha), Krista McMeeken and April for welcoming and supporting our conference. Long. Thank you to all those who participated in In particular we would like to thank all the facilitating sessions, workshops, gave presentations, community groups and children that attended showcased poster displays and shared your the conference to perform for our delegates, which work and experiences with all of us – and all the was a highlight for everyone. This included the exhibitors that participated in showcasing their Yarrabah State School Dance Troupe, Parramatta services at the conference. State School Dance Group, Boopa Werem Of course, thank you to all our delegates that Kindergarten and Biddigil Performing Arts group. travelled to the conference – from all over the Craig Squires from Ochre Catering for providing country – some from great distances from their great food and putting on a great conference homes and communities to share their great work dinner at the Cairns Cruise Terminal. The staff at with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the Cairns Convention Centre for providing great and families. Without your positive energy and support to ensure the conference ran smoothly. participation in sharing this wealth of knowledge it would not have been such a great success. Thanks to Elverina Johnson, the Yarrabah Shire Council and the community of Yarrabah for hosting our wonderful film night.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 7 We acknowledge with thanks our supporters.
SPONSORS
Government Supporters Silver SponsorS
Media Partner
Other supporters
SNAICC and the SNAICC Resource Service are funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) page 8 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
INTRODUCTION
The 2013 SNAICC Conference built on the success We were very appreciative of the participation and of the last conference to become one of the support of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait largest conferences SNAICC has held thus far. Islander community and the Cairns community in The conference attracted over 1130 attendees general as this gave the conference its local flavour. from all states and territories making it the A social program on the Tuesday evening provided largest conference ever on Aboriginal and Torres the opportunity for delegates to meet and Strait Islander children. The representation of participate in the local culture with a choice of delegates from all states and a diverse number of three special events planned for them. We were organisations provided the opportunity to discuss, very fortunate to be welcomed by the Elders and share and debate issues on a national level. community of the coastal town of Yarrabah to run The conference location, venue and program our film night. We were welcomed with their stories, provided the opportunity to have large gatherings traditional women’s and men’s dancing, local Kup and more intimate spaces for delegates to Murri traditional dinner whilst showcasing some showcase the wealth of great work being of the best digital stories made by Aboriginal and carried out around the country. Torres Strait Islander children around the country. The conference program was a diverse one and Many delegates on the Tuesday evening covered a spectrum of topics that addressed the participated in a local cultural experience at the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda where children and their families. The program provided their visit included a dreamtime walk, traditional strong representation from the areas of early Aboriginal performance in the parks amphitheatre childhood development, child protection, out-of- and dinner in lush tropical surrounds. Other home care, healing, culture, rights, remote work, delegates joined a cruise around the surrounds roles and responsibilities and working with families of the Cairns Trinity Inlet where they were joined and young people. The keynote presentations gave by a local storyteller. us insights and perspectives on an international and national level and inspired and challenged The conference dinner was conveniently located delegates, organisations and governments to opposite the Cairns Convention Centre in the work towards a better future for our children. beautifully restored and tropical themed heritage wharf building with stunning views of the Trinity Workshops and yarning circles were represented Inlet. The casual dinner provided the chance for and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference delegates to celebrate and mingle in community controlled organisations. Many of the tropical surrounds of the Cairns inlet whilst these celebrated and shared their culture’s success relaxing to the sounds of a local roots and reggae and strengths of their unique and innovative band performing music about traditional and programs. Several mainstream non-government contemporary culture. Guests got to try some of and government organisations also had strong the local cuisine with a buffet style menu consisting representation here. of mix of a traditional and modern fare. Gathering in Cairns surrounded by the Murri This report aims to provide a summary of the country’s ancient reefs and tropical rainforests, conference highlights, evaluation feedback from provided the opportunity for the Aboriginal and the attendees, an outline of the keynote speeches Torres Strait Islanders of north Queensland to and overall program. As we move forward we will share their work and local culture with us. We were be looking to present the next conference as a fortunate to have local children attend daily to biennial event rather than triennial and look forward showcase their local culture and talents and provide to working and meeting with you all again in 2015 what was one of the key highlights for everyone in in Perth, Western Australia. attendance. Each day before our plenary sessions children danced and sang for us to showcase traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances and contemporary performances infused with traditional performance. Kindergarten children sang Torres Strait Island songs to us in both English and their Torres Strait Islander language. Local artisans and craftspeople also attended and showcased the local indigenous arts and culture of far north Queensland.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 9 CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
Share and Celebrate Stories To celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, Listen, Learn strengths and successes in child and family services. To share our and Grow stories and ideas about what works To listen, learn and grow our and how we address our challenges. knowledge of Elders, families and communities, to strengthen our connection to culture. To inspire, foster and develop leadership and collective responses.
Inspire Action To inspire and enable leaders, services and others to act in a way that strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agency, self-determination, and connection to culture. To ensure the rights of our children and families are respected and fulfilled.
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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Evaluation feedback and data provided us The achievements of this conference were assessed with overwhelmingly positive feedback on and evaluated from a combination of registration the conference. Most of the delegates felt data, anecdotal feedback and comments from the conference was a positive and worthwhile participants, media coverage and evaluation data experience with an overwhelming majority saying obtained from feedback evaluation forms that they would attend the conference again. Most were distributed to participants (of which 140 areas were highly evaluated including the keynote were received). This information has allowed us speakers, the program, entertainment, special to assess how well we have met our conference events and organisation of the conference. objectives and provided us with the feedback for future planning. We were hoping to build on the success of the last conference and with record attendances of 1130 The overall feedback was that 87 per cent of attendees at this year’s conference it is evident that delegates that attended found that the conference there is a need for our conference and a need for met their expectations, with 90 per cent of people to have the opportunity to interact, share delegates expecting that they will attend the and discuss their stories in this setting. next SNAICC conference
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 11 Outcomes Based on all the above feedback we can conclude The Cairns Conference has been the largest that the conference has set the objectives it set out SNAICC conference we have undertaken so for the conference. The conference provides the far with: opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge from • Over 1100 delegates attending from a diverse range of communities – it continues to around Australia promote and provide a better understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and • Over 70 concurrent sessions, yarning circles contributes to the importance of culturally strong and workshops services for children and families. The SNAICC • 7 international and national keynote speakers National Conference has become a platform for • 229 abstract submissions this sector to continue to develop their skills, • 279 presenters gain new knowledge and remain energised for the challenges their work presents. It also continues • Approximately 50% of the conference to promote and highlight SNAICC’s important attendees were from Indigenous/Aboriginal role as a national peak body in the child and organisations welfare sector. In the evaluation forms we asked people to rate various aspects of the conference in order to evaluate our conference objectives. These ratings have been outlined along with some comments from our delegates. It is evident form the overall ratings that delegates were very satisfied with the conference and that the conference objectives were sufficiently met. Our overall rating for the ‘keynote presenters’ was 4 out of 5.
• Rating from a scale of 1- 5 with the scale of end of 1 disagreeing and scale end of 5 agreeing
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Below are some of our delegates comments.
Share and Celebrate Stories Loads of great information, common strengths and I appreciated the combination, the diversity challenges and what and how to approach these. of hearing all stories, successes and challenges. Enjoyed the showcasing of the children through The conference was better than I thought it would the performances, they were very moving. be! I have heard so many positive stories and learnt Enjoyed the traditional performances, being with great new information. Such a friendly atmosphere like-minded people, seeing the great work being meant you could approach new people easily. done around Australia. Such inspiring stories, creative solutions and Great program, totally relevant content, great increased awareness of problems to be solved. presenters, well organised and executed. Loads of great information, common strengths and I thoroughly enjoyed the keynotes and synergy challenges and what and how to approach these. of program content. Gotha was great and told us what was working. So many great programs and enjoyed the Enjoyed the showcasing of the children through presentation where the Elders talked about family the performances, they were very moving. and parenting. Sessions and speakers were fabulous. So much Such a great opportunity to meet so many top to listen to, learn from, and think about. end workers; great keynotes and a good variety of workshops.
Inspiring Action Again Cindy Blackstock was amazing and her I have to say that the conference was the best I session actually inspired me so much I went have attended in years, the stories of success being back and changed some work I am currently shared were really relevant but it also reminded me undertaking. The welcome to Country was the that we have to step up and work together. most beautiful experience and you could feel the Great topics and networking, strong on early energy of the Ancestors for sure in the room that childhood and provided a great chance to morning. The story from the Elder about her lands reconnect with people. were lovely to hear and watching the children sing and dance and be so strong in culture was very I have lots of ideas to take back inspiring. to the Centre to implement with the children and was great The SNAICC conference was fantastic. I was very to meet like-minded educators. blessed being able to attend and got a lot of invaluable information. I really hope that we as Informative and inspirational speakers. Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders can make a difference in our children’s lives.
Listen, Learn and Grow This was my first SNAICC conference and all the Lots of different ideas and positive feedback re sessions helped me with ideas that I can implement program. Enjoyed the chance to connect with in my programs. Especially enjoyed the session on others and discuss ideas and issues. Empowering Families. I really enjoyed the workshops that featured case Enjoyed the hands-on activities and workshops and plans and allowed the participants to have input. Gotha’s presentation on bi-lingual education. The It was inspiring to hear what is happening in others women’s business sessions and presentation form states and territories for Aboriginal and Torres the women from Yuendumu were all highlights. Strait Islander children. Gotha was inspirational and Gotha was brilliant! Reconnecting with Ngroo the Multi Mix Mob was emotionally moving. I will education and I really loved the positive climate of take these experiences and share them with our workshops. staff and committees. Meeting and learning from others personal stories Good range of topics and agencies to network and the opportunity to learn from the varied lived with. Good debate and learning opportunities. experiences of others.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 13 Delegates Snapshot
Who attended the conference? The conference continued to build on the success of its last conference and attracted a record number of delegates with 1030 attendees, making it the largest conference if its type. In 2013 we had 460 representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. There were also 410 delegates from mainstream non-government organisations, 140 delegates from government and 13 young people in attendance. • 45 per cent of delegates came form Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. • 40 per cent came from mainstream non- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations (45%) government organisations Mainstream NGO’s (40%) • 13.6 per cent came from government agencies and Young People (1.4%)
• 1.4 per cent were young registrants Government (13.6)
This table compares the participation of delegates State or Territory Participants Participants Participants over the last three SNAICC conferences. Key of Origin 2013 % 2013 2010 % 2010 2007 % 2007 features include: ACT 31 2.8% 20 2.1% 35 5% New South Wales 340 30% 194 19.9% 162 23% • 14 per cent increase in overall attendances Northern Territory 145 13% 374 38.0% 85 12% • 10 per cent increase from New South Wales with Queensland 309 27.5% 115 11.8% 90 13% 30 per cent of overall attendees, making them South Australia 64 6.4% 71 7.3% 145 20.5% the state with the most participation Tasmania 8 0.7% 7 0.7% 3 0.4% • It is evident that the host states participation Victoria 142 12.6% 139 14.2% 131 18.5% increases significantly with almost three times Western Australia 84 7% 57 5.8% 54 7.6% the participants from Queensland at this conference compared to the last conference. Total 1123 100% 977 100% 707 100%
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We had good representation from regional and remote communities and children’s services from most states and territories. From Queensland we had a range of delegates from the larger towns of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Yarrabah and Mount Isa. From Far North Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula from Cooktown, Hopevale, Weipa, Lockhart River, Bamaga and Doomadgee and from Thursday Island on the Torres Strait Islands. From New South Wales delegates came from a wide range of rural and regional Aboriginal children’s and family services including Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Orange, Albury, Ballina, Katoomba, Nowra, Gunnnedah amongst many others. We had good representation from Northern Territory communities with delegates from West Arnhem land’s Goulburn Island, East Arnhem town of Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island on the coast of Arnhem Land and from the Central Desert town of Yuendumu. Many delegates also came from Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tenant Creek. A good mix of attendees came from the ACT, this included federal government department staff, researchers, academics and some community workers. Representatives from Tasmania also attended from Hobart, Launceston and the Huon Valley and Lake region. From Victoria we had a good mix of rural and regional delegates from the areas of Bairnsdale, Glengarry, Mornington, Mildura, Shepparton, Wodonga and Warrnambool. Delegates from South Australia came from Ceduna, Mt. Gambier, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pririe, Whyalla, including Adelaide and other regions. Western Australian delegates came from a wide range of communities including Albany, Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, Turkey Creek and South Hedland, amongst other towns and from Perth.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 15 An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference It is important that SNAICC host a conference Travel subsidies were offered to Aboriginal that is controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Torres Strait Islander-owned and operated Islanders and also represents this through the organisations to support strong representation program content. and participation of these organisations in the conference and provide some funding for remote There are few Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities where funding for child and family Islander gatherings of this kind and size and it services workers is limited. is crucial to maintain this strength of culture to make it accessible. The ‘cultural relevance’ of the The conference also provided an opportunity for a conference scored a 4.3 (out of 5) in the delegate small group of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait evaluations along with the ‘atmosphere of the Islander people attending the conference to meet conference’ receiving 4.2 (out of 5). with the newly appointed Children’s Commissioner. Here they got the opportunity to discuss concerns The attendance of mainstream organisations, and challenges facing them in their communities services and government representatives at the and hopes for their future. conference provided an opportunity for these attendees to gain a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and how to work with children and families within their communities.
Keynote Speakers and Plenary Sessions
There were seven keynote speakers at the Strait Islander children and young people in the conference. The speakers came from diverse child protection system. During the conference backgrounds and expertise and provided us the campaign was still very much in its pre- with presentations that gave us international and launch stage but included presentations from a national perspectives. committed team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations led by SNAICC and included We heard from Marta Maurás Perez, the recently QATSICPP, Families Australia, CREATE and the retired Vice President of the UN Committee on the ATSI Healing Foundations and supported by a Rights of the Child, Professor Cynthia Kiro, former broad base of national and state organisations. first Children’s Commissioner of New Zealand and only Maori to have held this post and Professor More information on this national initiative ‘Family Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitksan Nation Matters’ and how to be involved are available at and Director of The Caring Society of Canada. the SNAICC website at http://www.snaicc.org.au/ policy-advocacy We also had great local representation from Professor Judy Atkinson, educator Kathy The keynote presenters challenged and inspired Guthadjaka (Gotha) and two young representatives delegates by sharing their work and thoughts with April Long and Krista McMeeken. us in the plenaries. Where available to us we have published a section of the keynote speeches in the A plenary session was also dedicated to a panel conference highlights of this report. The keynote discussion on a national initiative to address the speeches can also be viewed and listened to at over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres our website.
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Workshops, Displays and Exhibitors
We had a record number of sessions at a SNAICC apply to their work. There was also the opportunity conference with 72 concurrent sessions held at the to participate in workshops that included the use conference, and two pre-conference workshops. of storytelling and visual arts, including interactive workshop in relaxed settings (run by Reuse and Many services from around the country shared Recycle) that allowed participants to have a hands- with us their programs, ideas, practices and how on experience in making crafts and other activities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and run in their programs. A hands-on look at the families can benefit from these. workshop DRUMBEAT and how it may assist There was a diverse range of workshops presented young people and their communities also from representatives across the country including proved very popular. rural and remote regions. These were run by the The Multi Mix Mob Playgroup from NSW also community, workers, academics and government participated in their presentation and performed employees. songs from their program for delegates during Some workshops included a cross-section the afternoon break. of representatives presenting workshops on There were 21 displays and 31 Exhibitors that partnership models for effective delivery of participated and provided opportunities for culturally-appropriate services with representatives services and organisations to share their research, from mainstream organisations and Aboriginal and services, campaigns, programs and resources with Torres Strait Islander community organisations. conference delegates. There we’re free giveaways Workshops focused on bi-lingual education, available and exhibitors also made available for sale healing and several hands-on and interactive several resources and items. For a comprehensive workshop sessions provided participants with listing of poster displays and exhibitors see the opportunities to explore solutions that they could back section of this report.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 17 Media
A good range of media coverage was received According to media monitoring agency Meltwater from various media outlets. The official media Press, SNAICC received 360 online mentions partner for the 2013 SNAICC conference was the between mid-May and mid-June alone, mostly Koori Mail. Many other outlets also supported relating to the conference, the Melbourne forum the conference including the National Indigenous and Ms Perez’s visit. Times, ABC Radio and The Australian. The SNAICC conference received extensive media In the months leading up to the conference and the coverage including: conference month, 12 media releases (and 3 media • major articles in the Koori Mail, National alerts) were distributed to primarily promote the Indigenous Times and the Australian SNAICC’s National Conference in Cairns and the (online edition) visit to Australia of Marta Maurás Perez, the former Vice President of the UN Committee on the Rights • numerous news items on the National of the Child, who was a keynote speaker at the Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS) and Gadigal conference and participant at a public forum on the Radio in Sydney, a 45-minute interview with over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait SNAICC Deputy Chairperson on Tiga Bayles Islander children in out-of-home care in Melbourne program on NIRS, 4KIG Townsville, and an item on 18 June. on ABC TV News 24 • lengthy interviews with keynote speakers on Media releases included: ABC Radio National Breakfast and Life Matters • SNAICC national conference to explore critical programs, ABC Radio Australia, Gadigal radio, issues (21 May) Torres Strait radio and ABC Radio Broome, and • Funding of early childhood education and care • coverage in local Cairns media, including ABC services a critical issue at SNAICC conference Radio (several items), Win TV and Cairns Post. (27 May) • lengthy interviews with Ms Perez on Jon Faine’s • Former New Zealand Children’s Commissioner program on ABC Radio 774 Melbourne, the to speak at SNAICC conference (29 May) Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association • Visiting UN official calls for urgent action to end (Alice Springs) and National Indigenous Radio discrimination (31 May) Service. • Programs for vulnerable children and families must consider impacts of trauma (3 June) • Programs for vulnerable children and families must consider impacts of trauma (3 June) • Our governments have failed Indigenous children, says Canadian Professor Cindy Blackstock (4 June) • Conference delegates call for action to reduce high number of children in out-of-home care (6 June)
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Promotion
The SNAICC website was the main source of A cross-section of SNAICC member and supporting promotion for the conference with regular organisations also supported the promotion of the conference updates and conference pages posted conference by listing information in their newsletters here. There were regular e-lerts to SNAICC and websites. Several listings were also received members and subscribers and extensive coverage on conference and in particular social services and in SNAICC’s quarterly newsletter publication. community event websites. SNAICC’s social media pages on Facebook and A number of advertisements were also provided Twitter also had regular updates on the conference via our media partner Koori Mail, which provided program and speakers. extensive national reach to promote the conference.
CONFERENCE FEATURES | 5th SNAICC National Conference | The SNAICC National Conference is for: • International and local keynote speakers For Our Children: • anyone working with Aboriginal • Over 70 concurrent sessions, and Torres Strait Islander children yarning circles and workshops Living and Learning Together • child welfare leaders • Pre-Conference workshops by Assoc. Prof. Cindy Blackstock and • practitioners Emeritus Assoc. Prof. Judy Atkinson 4–6 June 2013 • policy makers • Other workshops on Indigenous Cairns Convention Centre • researchers language, Aboriginal early • government and others working childhood, working with Aboriginal in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families, developing Aboriginal culture, services. child protections, intensive family support, healing, rights and policy Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care Book early to avoid disappointment in Aboriginal child and family services • Displays, poster presentations, Early Bird Registrations open from 25 February exhibitors and all registrations close by 17 May. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander For more information on registrations visit www.snaicc.org.au/conference entertainment from far north Qld. or contact us to send you a brochure on (03) 9489 8099.
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am 6, 2013 rogr June e p Date: elegat brace d nces em Confere is being enthusiastically supported by conference an example of the city working together to welcome the program was being The Cairns Delegate Advantage Program . Islander Childcare Conference at organisers whodelegates have praised the initiativeReef as Director Rosie Douglas said conference National Aboriginal & & Great BarrierSecretariat at the Business Events Cairns 1100 delegates -add or discount of their choice to used by the the Cairns Convention Centre this week.
“Cairns businesses who are members of Tourism Tropical North Queensland or the Cairns Chamber Commerce can sign up for the free programavailable and on offer www.businesseventscairns.org.au a valueelegates receive a flyer with aand QR eachcode andthe of is , while d delegates attending conferences in the city,” she said. , the Cairns Conventions. Centre and “A list of the participatinga sticker to displaybusinesses on their window month s has busines has already been used been running for two and it the website address so they can find out who is participating. Business Events, the Cairns program & Great has Barrier Reef said the
“An initiative of Sharyn Low Cairns Chamber of Commerce a really positive response from conference organisers etting ose from “We are g at the Cairns Convention Centre.” conferences Islander Childcarefantastic Conference value for conferenceorganiser delegates. by six offered . ,” she said National Aboriginal & Secretariat ." Cairns Delegate Advantage Program was a great said it
“The other benefit is that it saves our delegates time, as they can go to the listing and cho of quality products without well having together to spend to welcome time researching conference delegates a range . in Cairns, thewhich city participates in the program, “It’s great to see a city working help local business owners see the ould also conference business into Craig Squire from Ochre Restaurant initiative to increasehe Delegate Advantage Program w | SNAICC Conference Report | page 19 Ms Douglas said t value of an industry which last financial year delivered $67 million directly and $201 million indirectly to the region’s economy.
ENDS
For more information contact: Rosie Douglas l Fax: 07 4051 0127 Director of Business Events Events Cairns & lGreat Mobile: Barrier 0417 Reef 750 (BECGBR)540 Business | www.businesseventscairns.org.au .org.au Direct Ph: 07 4015 1221 businesseventscairns [email protected] www.
What we learned
The conference program was the largest presented the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres thus far with over 70 concurrent sessions presented Strait Islander children and young people in the and 10 sessions concurrently per session time child protection system and continue to provide slot. This provided its own challenges in the delegates with more strategic solutions and ways programming of the conference but with so many they can implement SNAICC campaigns into worthy abstracts it was difficult not to include all their work. these presentations. Major issues identified by delegates that The feedback from conference delegates was need addressing, included: overwhelmingly positive with the majority of attendees very satisfied with the conference. - improving information sharing between Some constructive criticism was received and this organisations and government departments primarily related to the volume of the program. - short-term and insufficient funding of With some sessions running over time some community-controlled programs participants felt that some speakers did not have - the need for more healing programs enough time and that longer sessions or fewer - children’s voices being heard by the presenters should be considered. There was government a strong demand for interactive sessions with delegates wanting even more interactivity in - communities taking more responsibility sessions and the opportunity to participate in more and building on strong local practice discussion at the end of the sessions. The yarning - Indigenous workforce development in circles were generally well received and there were early childhood and care sector requests to have more of these and further develop - SNAICC being a driver in a strategic and opportunities for conversation and networking in planned approach to advocating for equitable informal settings. funding for budget based funding (BBF) SNAICC will take feedback from this conference services, on board for the next conference and continue - number of children (and the roles of men) to work to represent the interests of Aboriginal in out-of-home care, and and Torres Strait Islander children. At the 2015 - lack of indigenous participation and cultural conference we look forward to reporting back on appropriateness in the care system. the objectives of our National Initiative to address
page 20 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | Connecting to Sea Country
Yijala Yala Project - Leramugadu
Yarrabah Film Night & Dinner
| TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2013 |
TUESDAY 4 JUNE wednesday 5 JUNE Thursday 6 JUNE
Marta Maurás Perez is a former member and Vice-president of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the “The Australian government urgently Child and Special Rapporteur for Australia (2009-2013), needs to improve efforts to redress independent consultant in social policy, human rights and international relations. Marta is Chilean, a sociologist from persistent discrimination against the Catholic University of Chile, holds certificates on Public Administration from the University of Connecticut and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ontological Coaching from the Newfield Institute. children. The Convention on the For most of her professional life, Marta has worked for the UN which she joined in 1974 and has served in different Rights to the Child–to which Australia senior capacities and organisations both in field stations in Latin America, Asia and Africa, and in regional offices and is signatory–provides a strong, Headquarters. From 1998 to 2005 she served in the Office of Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan as universal blueprint for the basic Director for Economic and Social Affairs and Chef de Cabinet to the Deputy SG from where she moved to become the needs of children. Participation of Secretary of the Commission at the Economic Commission Indigenous peoples is at the core for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for 2005–2007. Previous to the UN Secretariat, Marta was with UNICEF for of change for Aboriginal and Torres 24 years where she served as UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (1992–98), Chief of Strait Islander children. The power the Sub-Sahara Africa Section in Headquarters, New York (1988–92), Representative in Mozambique and Swaziland of mechanisms and supports that (1984-1988), senior planning officer in Pakistan (1980–84), and as regional adviser on women’s affairs in Latin America enable genuine participation can and the Caribbean (1974–80). After her retirement from the be staggering. Similarly, allocating UN in 2007, Maurás was appointed as adviser Special Envoy of UNICEF for Latin America and the Caribbean till she was clear resources and improving elected as independent expert to the UN Committee on Child Rights. monitoring mechanisms will see She is a member of the board of several national and tangible benefits for the most international non-government organisations related to academic, social and political issues, and women and vulnerable groups.” children´s rights. She speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. Ms Marta Mauras Perez, former Vice President of the UN Committee to the rights of the Child
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The right to culture for indigenous children in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
By Marta Maurás Perez
Keynote presentation by Marta Maurás Perez to the SNAICC National Conference Tuesday 4 June 2013.
Introduction in some of the core international instruments such as the International Convention on the Elimination Allow me to acknowledge the traditional owners of all forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) and the and custodians of the lands we meet on and thank International Covenants on Human Rights of 1966. you for giving me this opportunity to open, along At the regional level, the American Convention on with such distinguished women, a Conference that Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and promises to be a rich experience for all of us. In People’s Rights and the Framework Convention preparing for it I have been wondering what can of the Council of Europe all explicitly prohibit I tell you that you have not already covered in the discrimination. previous Conferences and in your own lifetime of experiences, relationships and studies, much more But in the last two decades the UN has developed direct and, surely, much richer than mine. a number of different mechanisms for raising the importance of the rights of indigenous people. So, I hope to be able to provide you with an The important UN State of the World Indigenous overview of children and their rights from an Peoples Report of 2009 (SWIP) has called this a international perspective, focusing on indigenous “vigorous and dynamic interface” between the children and using the Convention on the Rights UN and indigenous peoples and it has come about of the Child (the CRC or the Convention) – which precisely because there has been an increasing is the central pillar of any discussion and action realisation internationally that indigenous people regarding children – I will touch also on the face systemic discrimination and exclusion all over framework provided by the UN and the the world thus requiring specific instruments. multilateral system. The ILO Convention #169 concerning Indigenous In particular I want to focus on the cultural rights of and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries came indigenous children as seen from the Convention into force in 1991. In 2001, the then Human Rights and the interpretation by the Committee on the Commission designated a Special Rapporteur Rights of the Child, of which I have been a member on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in 2003 and Vice-president for the last four years. In the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues doing so, I will reflect on the four basic principles, was established and has held periodic multi- the foundation stones of the Convention: non- stakeholders meetings. A landmark in tis process discrimination, the best interests of the child, was the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous the right to life survival and development and Peoples of 2007. While this Declaration is a non- the right to be heard. I will also look briefly at binding instrument, it has marked an important persistent poverty and at the impact of business on change of mood in the international arena, which indigenous children ́s rights drawing from recent had led to the General Assembly to decide to hold work by the Committee and other UN entities and a 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples illustrating from experience and jurisprudence as part of a global development agenda – setting mainly from Latin America and Australia. process beyond 2015. The Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 The Convention and the UN Framework is the first and most complete international human rights instrument that makes explicit reference First let ‘s look at the UN and the international in several of its articles to indigenous children as framework. subject of rights able to exercise them individually and collectively in terms of their culture, religion, It is in important to note that there is no universal and language. Clearly, all rights enshrined in treaty on human rights of indigenous people of the CRC apply equally to indigenous children a binding nature. Historically there has been the as they do to all children. Worth noting is that assumption that the rights of indigenous peoples the Convention is the most universally ratified or minorities are protected primarily on the basis of instrument of human rights. the non-discrimination principle as enshrined
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 29 Therefore the CRC has a heightened importance, sanitation and juvenile justice. In doing so, States particularly its centerpiece for indigenous children, will take care that these services address multiple Article 30, which I quote: layers of discrimination such as those affecting girls, rural children or children with disabilities. In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, Additionally, article 30 underlines that the a child belonging to such a minority or who enjoyment of culture, religion and language is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in can be exercised collectively and individually by community with other members of his or her group, indigenous children, ”the child...in community to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and with other members of his or her group...“. This practice in their own religion, or to use his or her is an important recognition of the traditions and own language. collective values of indigenous cultures, while at the same time emphasizing the individual nature of Articles 17 and 29 of the CRC also make direct the rights of the child. So for both political and civil reference to indigenous populations on, rights as for economic, social and cultural rights of respectively, the role of mass media regarding the indigenous children the CRC recognizes cultural linguistic needs of children belonging to a particular specificity. I will come back to this. minority or ethnic group and on the need for education to prepare the child to lead a responsible Faced with the actual reality of implementation of life in a free and open society among all groups, the Convention by States party, the Committee including persons of indigenous origin. became keenly aware that despite explicit guidance indigenous children were experiencing All three articles were drafted in recognition that continued and serious discrimination in many indigenous and minority children are subjected different aspects of their lives. Examples from to serious discrimination and vulnerabilities and the examination of periodic reports by States therefore require special measures. Through art. 30 ranged from profiling by local police on the basis is expressed as a prohibition of the denial of rights of race or origin to ethnically blind social policies “..shall not be denied the right,... -, the Convention and indifference to cultural diversity in terms, for calls for positive ways to respect, protect and fulfill example, of identity and name. the rights of all indigenous children and obligates States party to protect them against acts performed The Committee therefore decided to develop by the State or by other parties. in 2009 a General Comment on Indigenous Children an their Rights (#11) in order to provide These positive or special measures need to governments with further guidance on ensuring the be inspired by the four basic principles of the rights of indigenous boys, girls and adolescents Convention. In particular, article 2 reinforces very paying particular attention to the right to a cultural strongly the notion that States shall respect and life. This has become an important reference ensure the right to non-discrimination based on any in international human rights law regarding condition whether of the child or his or her parents indigenous peoples. including race, national or ethnic origin, language, religion, gender, etc. And on article 12 on the right of the child to be heard and express his or her Cultural rights opinion, another basic pillar of the Convention, the Committee highlights the many obstacles for Turning now to cultural rights, it is clear from the indigenous children to exercise this right and calls Committee experience that many States d not pay on State parties to create an environment that specific attention to indigenous children or to their promotes the freedom of expression of children as development in the context of their right to lead a individuals or as a group so that they participate cultural life. The starting point for the Committee in consultations on issues that affect them. It is self-identification, fundamental criteria for further states that “as regards legislation, policies establishing indigenous peoples rights. States and programmes that affect indigenous children need to recognize and respect the distinct cultures, in general, the indigenous community should be history, language and way of life as an enrichment consulted and given an opportunity to participate in of the State’s cultural identity. The Committee the process on how the best interests of indigenous also aligns itself with the notion that cultural rights children in general can be decided in a culturally are essential to maintain human dignity and for sensitive way. I will touch on the other two basic positive human interaction among individuals and principles, the best interests of the child and the communities in a world increasingly diverse and right to life, development and survival, later on. culturally plural. But while calling for special measures, the articles in In its recommendations to States, the Committee the CRC that explicitly refer to indigenous children insists that public policies need to take account of do not grant them a “special status”. What is meant such things as: is for States to ensure that indigenous children - learning an indigenous language alongside the as well as any minorities have access to culturally national language as a pillar of the educational appropriate services, for example, in health, system, nutrition, education, recreation and sports, social service, housing sanitation and juvenile housing - health services sensitive to indigenous practices and knowledge page 30 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
- a system of juvenile justice that takes account Another aspect of cultural rights highlighted by GC of traditional systems of justice and the child’s No.11 is that they need to be exercised within a own cultural identity, and human rights framework consistent with respect for - family services that give priority to the family others human dignity and physical integrity. Cultural and community when deciding on issues such practices referred to in art. 30 must conform to as adoption, care or abuse and violence. the Convention as a whole and cannot be justified if they are harmful to the child’s dignity, health or In other words, a more integrated approach is development. required that will reconcile a children’s rights approach with cultural specificity, so that indigenous Practices such as early marriages, corporal children can effectively enjoy their rights specifically or other degrading punishment and genital but on an equal basis with all children. mutilation of girls need to be eliminated in active collaboration between the State and the Some examples from the Committee’s indigenous communities, including children jurisprudence of 2012 illustrate these points: for themselves, through education, awareness Vietnam it urged the State to ensure full respect raining and legislation to change the norms for the preservation of identity for all children and and stereotypes behind them. In this sense, the eliminate all efforts to assimilate ethnic minority Committee espouses the concept of respectful, populations with the Kin majority including passing horizontal and synergic relationships between and legislative and administrative measure to account among cultures where integration and co-existence for the rights to a name, culture and language of are basic objectives based on dialogue and mutual indigenous minority populations; for Canada to take agreement making diversity a valuable resource. urgent measures to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Afro-Canadian children in the On the best interests of the child – the third basic criminal justice system and out-of-home care; and principle on the Convention –, the Committee has for Australia to review its “Bringing Then Home elaborated on the need for States and communities Report” in order to ensure full respect for the rights to ensure that both the individual as well as the of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to collective perspective is applied when considering their identity, name, culture, language and family the best interests of indigenous children. Here relationships. again, the right of children to express their views becomes an important element of those decisions. In the same vein, in his Report on the Situation of It follows that the State should take measures, such Indigenous peoples in Australia his 2010 visit, the as the training and awareness-raising of the relevant Special Rapporteur commends progress be made professional categories, to take into account in the country but highlights the need for a more collective cultural rights when deciding on the best integrated approach by government programmes interests of a child. to tackle the disadvantages faced by indigenous people by promoting their social and economic We all know what a difficult concept the best wellbeing as well as strengthening their free interest is. That is why the Committee has made determination and cultural life. an effort to be practical and operational as well as elaborate on the legal and normative aspects of the The SNAICC national campaign to address the best interests principle in a manner that reflects and over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres supports culture and identity. Four elements can Strait Islander children and young people in the be highlighted as guidance for those who need to child protection system – to be discussed and access or evaluate indigenous child’s best interests signed on this week – is an important step in this when taking a decision that concerns him or her: direction. Organized by a group of indigenous and non-indigenous organizations, it advocates for a a) As an individual, like any other child, as essential new approach, which preserves and strengthens element is his or her identity, in line with article children’s identity and connection t their culture, 8 of the Convention. In other words, along with and empowers families and communities. It his or her opinion, the family context, the care includes as key solutions, among others: and protection required, his or her health and education, consideration of the identity in terms - promote understanding and respect for the of the culture and ethnic group to which the rights and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait child belongs is a necessary factor. Whoever Islanders, takes a decision regarding a child’s best - place family and community decision-making at interests, needs to take account of his or her the centre of ensuring the safety and wellbeing identity and respect it. of children and b) Consideration of the collective cultural rights of - increase government expenditure and capacity the child should form part of the determination on prevention and early intervention services. of his or her individual best interests. Hopefully similar action can be organized to Therefore, whoever is to decide taking as a combat the steep over-representation on the primary consideration the best interests of an juvenile justice system in Australia with indigenous indigenous child must “take into account the children 26 times more likely than non-indigenous cultural rights of the indigenous child and his children to be in detention. need to exercise them collectively together with the members of his or her group.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 31 c) Should there be conflict with other rights of around 63% of all children in the region are affected the child (preservation of the family group or by poverty in some way, while the situation is even education, for instance), the different elements more critical among indigenous children, 88% of need to be balanced in order to ensure the whom are affected. On a positive note, the new fulfilment of the ultimate goal of the best round of censuses on 2010 and 2011 data now interests determination – which is to guarantee available from Ecuador, Mexico and Panama show that the child enjoys fully all the rights enshrined improvements in school enrolment and attendance, in the Convention and its Protocols and that he with deprivation rates falling by one third and one or she develops in a harmonious way. half as compared to 2000 but challenges still remain d) When a general measure is adopted such as particularly in regards to the quality of education, a law, a bylaw or a policy aimed at indigenous and access to housing and water. peoples, due consideration needs to be given Turning to Australia, the SWIP report points to not only to issues of general interest to them, the enormous disparities between the indigenous like land property or access to natural resources and non-indigenous population where the native and political participation but also to the best aboriginal child born in 2009 could expect to interest of the indigenous children belonging to die up to 20 years earlier than his or her non- that group, which should not be left unattended indigenous compatriot. With the country ranking or be violated in favour of the interest of the third in the Human Development Index (having larger group. improved recently to become second) i.e. among Such an integrated community and family based the very best in the world, it is striking that it would approach is rarely followed, event by indigenous be placed 103rd when it came to the indigenous groups struggling for their rights. Sadly in my population. While these disparities are present own country, the political platform advocated also in Canada, New Zealand and the USA, the by indigenous leaders for this year’s Chilean one lagging further behind is Australia with a Presidential election campaign focuses exclusively stagnant index for indigenous populations since on recognition, land recuperation and security. It is 1990. Indeed, the Development Index for Australia’s totally silent on children’s and women’s rights. This indigenous unemployment rates 3 times higher may be understandable given decades of State than non-indigenous income. The Committee in its violence against mapuche people and children concluding observations “notes with appreciation who have mobilised to recuperate traditional lands that there is a range of measures including various (object of formal complaints to the Interamerican types of subsidies, tax reductions and returns Commission of Human Rights, but less so if one and other support for lower income families. considers that official statistics show that more Nevertheless it remains concerned that these are than 89% of indigenous children do not speak or not equitably available to all families in need nor understand any native language and are far behind provided without distinction of place of residence non-indigenous children on all developmental or other discriminating factors. indicators. Women and children need to be given In general, the Committee is consistent in its a voice in drawing up and participating in decisions recommendations regarding improvement of the regarding policy priorities and both the Stater and standard of living and reducing poverty among indigenous leaders are obligated to create that indigenous populations calling for the State to space and take the best interest of the child into adopt a comprehensive policy and plan of action to account in their political struggle. positively address the rights of indigenous children, including investment in services and infrastructure Poverty and the Right to Life, Survival in indigenous territories. Other enabling measures to combat poverty as its affect indigenous and Development children are the need to ensure universal free birth This brings me to the question of poverty and how registrations and appropriately disaggregated it affects children in direct violation of their rights in statistical systems that will help design specific particular the right to life, survival and development, policies and programmes, Overall, recognition n the fourth basic principle of the Convention. The dialogue, including with children, are at the core SWIP report quotes that indigenous peoples of designing the policies and programmes aimed represent 5% of the world population but 15% of at the elimination of poverty and discrimination the world poor. It is well known that children are affecting indigenous people, allowing for a better overrepresented among those living in poverty. This understanding of the determinants and the is also true for indigenous children who add other measures required. vulnerabilities to the poverty level of their families. One aspect of discrimination that deeply concerns In Latin America and the Caribbean a long history the Committee is gender-based violence and of discrimination and exclusion has ensured that gender inequalities, which make the situation of indigenous children are in a worse position than women and girls from indigenous groups worse poor children in the general population. The levels than that of the general indigenous population. To vary according to the countries but the general illustrate, in Latin America 20.6% of indigenous girls pattern is the same: according to the UN Economic experience moderate and severe deprivation in Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) and UNICEF education as compared to 17% of indigenous boys
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at least 9 of 16 countries where this measurement an the activity by the OECD, UNICEF and Save the was possible. In Australia, the Special Rapporteur Children to produce guidelines for business, the on Indigenous People already reported in 2006 Committee on Rights if the Child has also focused that infant mortality among aboriginal people is on the issue. Businesses have a duty to respect more than double that of non-aboriginal and that children’s rights yet the Committee came across the imprisonment rate among aboriginal women case after case of violations of children’s rights by is higher than that of any other community. His companies. So, it realized the need to establish special report on Australia in 2010 mentions a clear guidance for States on what they are that the Australian Bureau of Statistics found required to do under the Convention to ensure that that 18.3% of indigenous women experienced companies respect the rights of children. It is not physical or threatened abuse in a 12-month period, enough for companies to subscribe voluntary codes compared to 7% of non-indigenous women. While of conduct. The Committee therefore issued GC commending the government for attaching urgency #16 in February 2013 basing itself on jurisprudence and priority to abating violence against women, accumulated over a long period of time. the Special Rapporteur signalled that mainstream Already in GC#11 on indigenous children, the domestic violence and child protection models are Committee had clarified that art.30 called for reported to be inconsistent with Aboriginal and States to establish positive measures of protection Torres Strait Islander cultures. for indigenous children not only regarding acts Hot out of the press, the UN has come out to (or omissions) by the States ‘legislative, judicial report on Violence against Indigenous Girls, or administrative authorities but also against acts Adolescents and Young Women: a call to action (or omissions) by the States’ legislative, judicial 2013, the first attempt at providing a broad or administrative authorities but also against acts overview on the existing evidence on violence by other persons (and for the CRC this includes against indigenous girls and women. It underscores legal persons such as businesses) present in the the association between the vulnerability to State party. This obligation extends not only to the violence of young women and girls and the public but also to the private sector implying that broader contexts of historical discrimination and the State must regulate and influence the business marginalization of many indigenous peoples. The sector in general to ensure that it does not treat dimensions of violence cover from physical, sexual indigenous children in a discriminatory manner. and psychological/emotional in the family and This is a delicate and much controversial position community to violence perpetrated or condoned to take as it implies that the State must regulate by the State and violence in those communities and control actions by business that may impact on that conform to deeply rooted patriarchal systems human rights. and practices that relegate women and girls to Business activities can impact upon indigenous subordinate roles and positions in society as well as children’s rights in many different ways. I have in conflict situations. chosen to focus on two areas, which are perhaps, Paying attention to the plight of women and girls most significant: land acquisition, participation and in remote communities, ensuring confidential consultation, and the role of the media as business counselling, sensitive services, appropriate legal enterprises. assistance and engaging in dialogue specifically with women leaders are some of the measures required. These need to operate in most cases in 1. Land acquisition, participation constitutional, legal and institutional environments and consultation. that enable prevention and response to violence. The CESC Committee is clear; States should Indigenous communities often live in isolated “eliminate the institutional and legal obstacles as areas that are covered for their natural resources. well as those based on negative practices, including The impacts of land acquisition on indigenous those attributed to customs and traditions, that children can be huge. The environment in which prevent women from participating fully in cultural indigenous children live may be polluted or suffer life…”. Clearly the major obstacles are limited water shortage as a result of business activities. awareness of the plights of indigenous girls and Their social and cultural identity can be disrupted women, a culture of impunity, little knowledge and and endangered by the loss of land and natural inadequate statistics. resources they have previously relies upon. They may move to areas where access to education and health services is not certain. Families may be The corporate sector and its impact deprived of property rights and children of their inheritance rights. If the displacement is involuntary I want to turn now to look at the ways in which the then girls can be at heightened risk of physical and corporate sector impacts upon the right of the sexual violence as well as economic marginalisation. indigenous children and the role of the State. They may be at risk of violence, exploitation In line with the concern of recent years by the and abuse from environmental degradation, Special Rapporteur of Indigenous Peoples, the displacement, loss of livelihoods and a breakdown adoption by the Human Rights Council of the in community ties. Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 33 Governments have very clear obligations under to public finance or insurance on a business carrying the CRC to prevent the rights of indigenous out a process to identify, prevent or mitigate children from being violated including as a result of any negative impacts on children’s rights in their business activity. Preventive measures can include, overseas operations. for example, having a clear legal framework in With regard to Australia, while acknowledging place regarding the rights of land ownership, the existence of a voluntary code of conduct on a possession and access to lands that indigenous sustainable environment by the Australian Mining peoples traditionally occupy or use. Governments Council (“Enduring Values”), the Committee in 2012 should also demand tat businesses undertake a full noted the State’s inadequacy in preventing direct child tights impact assessment prior to approval and/or indirect human rights violations by Australian for a land acquisition project and children, should mining enterprises abroad. It recommended that be provided with access to an effective remedy the State party: including reparation on rights are violated because of business activity. States must set a good example (a) Examine and adapt its legislative framework so that when they themselves have a business role (civil, criminal and administrative) to ensure the they must not adversely impact on the children’s legal accountability of Australian companies and rights. In Norway, for example, the Norges Bank their subsidiaries regarding abuses of human Investment Management annually assesses and rights, especially child rights, committed in the publishes the extent to which companies it invests territory of the State party or overseas…; in meet its expectations regarding preventing child (b) Take measure to strengthen cooperation with labour and promoting children’s rights in their countries in which Australian companies or their workplace. subsidiaries operate to ensure respect for child The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of rights, prevention and protection against abuses Indigenous Peoples and the inclusion of Free Prior and accountability; Informed Consent in the International Finance (c) Establish that human rights impact assessment, Corporation Performance Standard 7 means that including child rights impact assessments, seeking the free, prior and informed consent of are conducted prior to the conclusion of indigenous peoples is now specifically required trade agreements with a view to ensuring for any project (seeking international funding) that that measure are taken to prevent child rights affects their communities and governments must violations from occurring… ensure that potentially affected communities are consulted with. Yet indigenous children are the least likely to be consulted with about the impact 2. Role of the media in promoting the of land acquisition on their lives either informally right of indigenous children. within families or communities or formally as part of The CRC explicitly refers to the important role the companies’ consultations. media – including privately owned media – can In recent concluding observations, for example play in promoting the rights of indigenous children for Cambodia (2011), the Committee urges the and having particular regard to the linguistic needs State party ‘to establish a national moratorium on of the child who belongs to a minority group or evictions until the determination of the legality of who is indigenous. If media is only available in land claims is made…(and)…to ensure that families the majority language then there is a risk that it and their children are not made homeless as a will not reflect content sensitive to the needs and result of evictions for private and development issues of indigenous children. The media’s portrayal activities.’ For Ecuador in 2010, the Committee of children has a profound impact on attitudes requests the State to ensure that the extractive to children and childhood, and is an important industry conducts social and environmental influence on adults’ behaviour towards children. assessments in consultation with local communities, This is a heightened importance for indigenous including indigenous children. children who are constantly or even solely exposed to the local dominant culture, including to a Another way in which business activities impact globalised homogenous culture dominated by negatively and disproportionately on the rights of consumerism. indigenous children can be when businesses are based in one country – the home country, such as The Committee encourages States to ensure that Canada or Australia or the UN – and operative in indigenous children can access the media their another country – the host country – in resource own languages in order for them to effectively rich areas where indigenous children live. The exercise their right to be heard. It also emphasises host country should regulate and control the the importance of not portraying indigenous operations of foreign businesses but often will children in a discriminatory or negative light. In El not do so adequately. Home states must prevent Salvador in 2010, for example recommendations ‘their’ businesses from having a negative impact on included on the need to create consciousness and the rights of indigenous (and other) children even expand knowledge on the rights on indigenous though they may be located beyond their borders. boys and girls, especially through training of people Some measures include making conditional access who work with children in mass media professionals.
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More generally for all children, but especially required to develop multicultural and bilingual affecting children with some form of vulnerability, education, especially for remote areas where the Committee came across two issues of concern many indigenous and minorities children and regarding the impact of the media on children’s families live. rights: Governments globally are trying to extend a a) Risks of marketing directly to children – protection response to increased on-line sexual including through digital media. Marketing exploitation and abuse of children by enacting aimed at children presents numerous child legislation, prosecution, awareness raising protection concerns that are not present when support for children to recover. But these are yet advertising to adults and that must be taken into insufficient or not applied universally. The media consideration. For example, there are growing and Internet industry have a central role to play concerns about the effects of marketing on and, in following international frameworks and children’s physical and mental health. Childhood agreements, need to ensure fulfilment of their obesity is increasing rapidly around the world responsibility to respect an protect child rights. and is linked to the development and marketing of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods and Conclusions beverages that are high in fat, sugar and salt and marketed directly to children. In 2010 it is I have attempted to provide you with a broad estimated that more than 42 million children international perspective of the normative under the age of five years will be overweight framework on indigenous children an their cultural or obese of who nearly 35 million are living in rights and I have highlighted some issues that stand developing countries. out as priorities for action. There is some consensus that the varying Maybe the biggest challenge is to ensure that degrees of vulnerability among children for to recognise them and to acknowledge the necessitate some level of protection from (or specific cultural context to which they belong or education about) advertising. This has given identify themselves, with universal policies and rise to a range of regulatory and self-regulatory programmes, which at the same time take account initiatives including, for example, a complete of the need for specificity in their application. ban on advertising to children under the age of 12 years in Norway and Sweden, and This requires clear political will for dialogue prohibitions on advertising during cartoon and recognition of indigenous peoples, where time in Italy. In the UK, children’s television respect for children’s rights can and should be a personalities are prohibited from appearing fundamental piece. It is not possible to conceive a in any advertisements before 9pm, while truly intercultural relationship without the wellbeing merchandise based on children’s television of indigenous children being a common objective programmes must not be advertised within for the whole nation. All too often children’s rights 2 hours preceding or following the program have been in the shadow of larger community concerned. interests which while being fundamental for recognition and development should also recognise Guidance by the Committee in GC No.16 the identity of children as subject of rights and their in reference to these concerns is that States realisation. should ensure that marketing and advertising do not have adverse impacts on children’s Finally, the State and the community need to open rights by adopting appropriate regulation and and promote spaced of participation for boys, girls encouraging business enterprises to adhere to and adolescents to express themselves individually codes of conduct, in particular regarding the and collectively on matters appropriate to their age use of clear and accurate product labelling and and maturity. information that allow parents and children’s In many societies, my own country being an rights, health and business including the World example, a cultural diversity as a value and the Health Organization Framework Convention resource for universal public policies is of recent on Tobacco Control, International Code of date. Rather cultural diversity had been considered Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and a difficulty and homogeneity had been the value. So relevant subsequent World Health Assembly to explore diversity from the rights of girls, boys and resolutions. adolescents may help us get closer to the richness b) Protection risks around children’s access to of our multi-culturalness and this Conference is a digital media, for example, sexual exploitation, sterling example. grooming and exposure to harmful content. Increasingly exposure of children and enable Many thanks. their right to information, to freedom of expression and to participation. Digital technology can be of great help to produce the kind of interactive and culturally sensitive education and communication material
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 35 Dr Cindy Blackstock is the Executive Director, The Caring Society of Canada and Associate Professor, University of “We work for children–so we need Alberta. The Caring Society of Canada seeks to promote to work with children to ensure and support First Nations child and family service agencies in Canada by providing research, professional development we are doing right by them and and public education services. their families. Aboriginal children A member of the Gitksan Nation, Cindy has worked in the field of child and family services for over 25 years. She has in Australia, similar to our First worked as a social worker for the provincial government as well as a First Nations child and family service agency and Nations children in Canada are was executive director of a regional Indigenous professional development agency for Indigenous social workers in overrepresented in child welfare care 1998 before assuming her current post at the Caring Society in 2003. due to neglect driven by poverty, Cindy is an author of over 50 publications on the welfare poor housing and substance misuse. and rights of First Nations children. Her key interests include exploring, and addressing, the causes of disadvantage for Governments are simply not doing Aboriginal children and families by promoting equitable and culturally-based interventions and the role of the voluntary all they can do because these are sector in supporting community-based responses. Cindy’s all solvable problems but equitable, current professional interests include holding fellowships with the Ashoka Foundation, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation flexible and culturally-based funding and the Trudeau Foundation. is required to empower community solutions. Equality is not an aspiration, it is a right.”
Professor Cindy Blackstock, Director of The Caring Society of Canada
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Just because we are small does not mean we can’t stand tall – A keynote address on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on First Nations child welfare.
By Dr Cindy Blackstock
Keynote speech by Associate Professor Dr Cindy Blackstock on Tuesday 4 June.
What a great honor to be here in these traditional restraint measure by wealthy governments like lands, the home of your peoples and ancestor’s ours. The solution is for all peoples to stand against dreams. any form of government based inequality because as a country and as a people we cannot afford it. In developed countries like Australia and Canada Our children are so sacred, so valuable, that we expect our people and our governments to do equality should never be an aspiration for them, better for children we know better for children. it is a right and a necessary step to ensure And yet too often our governments fail to step up Indigenous children can live the life that their to the plate. ancestor’s dreamed for them. This is a letter from a child to the Government Incremental equality has no place in the lives of of Canada to our Prime Minister. Its says: children or in the public policy of our respective Dear Mr Prime Minister Harper, hello my name countries. As Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, is Imran, I think just because your skin color is authors of the Spirit Level: Why More Equal different or you have a different religion does not Societies Almost Always do Better, point out mean that you should be treated differently, like -addressing inequalities for Indigenous peoples right now we have proper houses, we have water and others is better for all people. Their leading and we have good schools, In Attawapiskat it’s a work reveals countries that address the gaps First Nations community, and yet they are human between rich and poor are more likely to have a beings too. I think something needs to be done. robust economy, longer life spans, low incarceration rates, low teen pregnancy rates and improved And PS. We are trying to fix the mistakes we made levels of trust amongst citizens. These findings from the past and you are not helping. are supported by the evidence available on And PPS. Write back with an explanation. www.gapminder.org. Sincerely, Imran Governments are often aware of this evidence but fail to take the measures necessary to reduce You know a lot of people say “it is so simple the inequalities and make the lives of all citizens that even a child can get it” and as Imran’s letter the better for it. The Canadian government, shows our children do understand the importance for example, has a G-8 economy, and yet in the of treating all children fairly, but too often our UNICEF rankings placed Canadian children 17th in governments don’t. the world on a variety of wellbeing and education In Canada, First Nations children and their families measures. It is a problem when a country’s experience inequalities in government services economy is doing better than their kids. Urgent such as child welfare, health and education and measures are needed to reduce the inequalities basics like housing, water and sanitation even particularly given that the higher needs of First though their needs are higher due to the multi- Nations children and their families due to the generational impacts of colonization. Many of multi-generational impacts of colonialism. these inequalities are also tragically experienced Canada and Australia share a colonial history Aboriginal peoples in Australia. marked by government authorized forced removals The inequalities have persisted over the decades of Indigenous children aimed at eradicating and in their persistence, may children grew up Indigenous cultures and assimilating Indigenous without the full opportunity to grow up with their peoples. Australia had the stolen generations and families, get a good education, be healthy and Canada had residential schools. The last residential proud of who they are. These inequalities are not school closed in 1996 but many of the tragic without solutions and yet the solutions that are public policy patterns which were fundamental available go unimplemented, or implemented to the operation of the schools such as chronic only partially, because racial discrimination against under-funding and a diminishment of Aboriginal children is often rationalized as a legitimate fiscal knowledge and ways of caring for children echo in
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 37 child welfare today. Child welfare in Canada has Nations to remedy the inequalities and give First pretty much taken over from residential schools. Nations children a proper chance to grow up at We have more children in child welfare care today home, a human rights complaint was filed in 2007 than at the height of residential schools. Driven pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act. there by poverty, poor housing and substance misuse. The good news is we know how to fix The complaint alleges that the Canadian these issues through meaningful community government’s provision of First Nations child and and culturally based interventions targeted to family services is discriminatory on the grounds those problems. of race and national ethnic origin. Instead of embracing its obligations to provide equitable For example, in the United States there is the services, the Canadian government has spent National Centre on Housing and Child Welfare millions in its unsuccessful efforts trying to derail (www.nchcw.org) where child welfare funding is the case on legal technicalities. It saddens me, that targeted to alleviate housing problems for families in a wealthy country like Canada where there are coming to the attention of child welfare. The so many good and great people and where values average cost of placing a child in child welfare in of fairness and inequality are so pervasive-that we the United States is roughly $45,000 per year and have to take our government to court in order to their experience shows many children have been get them to treat children fairly. able to stay safely in their homes for a housing investment of about $13,000 per child. It shocks not only just indigenous people in our country; it shocks non-Aboriginal Canadians as Not only is staying safely at home in the best well. When we filed this case in 2007 there was only interests of the child but US state governments 10 people in the room. We created this campaign are saving millions of dollars in needless child where ‘I am a Witness’ which is a web-based public welfare costs by supporting families with housing education campaign that makes all of the court solutions that allow their children to remain at documents and relevant reports easily accessible home. Progressive and effective interventions such to the public and then we simply asked Canadians as this can prosper in our respective countries but to follow the case in person or on line. With over these equity-seeking initiatives cannot be built on 12,000 individuals and organizations formally a foundation of inequality nor should Aboriginal following the case via “I am a Witness” - the organizations be required to deliver service below children’s case is the most watched human rights what the government would afford itself. case in Canadian history. I find that there are two First Nations child and family service agencies things that surprise Canadians the most when they in Canada deliver child welfare services to First watch the case: 1) that a legal case is even required Nations communities on reserves. They are to make sure a government treats kids fairly and constrained by federal government requirements 2) that the government’s arguments are based on to follow provincial/territorial child welfare laws, legal technicalities based on “their best interests” even though in many cases these laws have not versus the best interests of Canadians and children. proven effective for First Nations children, and to Despite, Canada’s objections, the historic hearings do so with flawed and inequitable funding. After on the discrimination matter began on February the Canadian Government failed to implement 25th of this year. It is the first time on Canadian two solutions that were jointly developed with First history that our government appeared before a
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tribunal that has the power to make binding orders would know what kids at my kindergarten school to account for the treatment of this generation of already know, and that its not fair to tell some kids First Nations children. they’re are not worth the money’. It was a great moment, and in the courtroom I’ve been so honoured to be in your company, in there was a lot of spectators, including children. your countries, in your traditional lands before and Children may not be experts in politics and they I have been so blessed to meet your Elders and may not be experts in the law, but they are experts your children. They have the same wisdom that in love and fairness and as one child said “when our kids do back home, they know it’s not fair that we see something wrong we want to fix it.” They many Aboriginal children in Australia cannot get bring this wonderful energy to the courtroom, for a clean glass of water, live in proper houses, get a example one group of kids brought an autograph good education and receive the support they need book. They wanted autographs of all the lawyers to speak their own languages. It’s not right that and other people in the court process. They ask Aboriginal children have to fight for the lands that important questions. I heard one boys ask the their people have lived on for thousands of years. government lawyer ‘is Steven Harper [that’s our And it’s not right that they have to go somewhere Prime Minister] here?’ and when the lawyer replied else to grow up because the government does not no. The child looked puzzled and said “shouldn’t provide them with the culturally based in-home he be here because isn’t he the guy that tells you supports that they need to grow up at home. what to do, I head that lawyers have to do what Our ancestors are calling to us. We have to stand their bosses need to say, so why isn’t he here?’ together, the time for equality and freedom for our You might wonder what children get out of children is right now. I wish I could of brought all possibly hearing their government argue on legal the children with me from Canada it would have technicalities. We all know how baffling legal been a far more exciting flight. Instead I will share language can be and quite frankly how boring it more of the letters they wrote in a book called sometimes can be but the children sat all quietly all “Children’s Voices have Power: Children standing morning listening to the government of Canada’s in Solidarity with First Nations Children” featuring submissions. During the lunch break a boy showed the song “I am a witness” written for the campaign me a piece of paper where he had kept track of by First Nations artist, Riva Farrell-Racette. So, from the questions the judge asked and the questions the children of Canada to your hearts please join the government answered. There was a long list of me in saying the children do have power and that tallies on one side of the paper and shorter list on power is our respective countries greatest hope. the other side. He asked me ‘do you know what this [Presentation if children’s book and song played] list is’ and when I answered “no” he explained that “the long list is when the judge asked the people Dear Prime Minster Harper, we’re trying to correct of Canada a question and the short list is when the mistakes of the past, and you’re not helping. they answered’. PPS: Write back with an explanation. The promise of reconciliation lies in raising a Let all of us stand together now in honor and the generation of First Nations and non-Aboriginal strength of our ancestors and let there never be children who celebrate cultural difference instead another day or another time or another generation of trying to and overcome it. A generation that to have to strive for the basic right to be proudly understands that equality does not exist unless who they are. there’s equality for all and that freedom lies in the Thank-you so much for joining me, actions each of us takes to uphold it. While singing have a great conference. about freedom and respect in our national anthems may give us comfort - the song without a hand is just empty words. Children in Canada are taking action. They are coming to Parliament Hill to read letters to the Government about the type of Canada they want all children, including First Nations children, to grow up in. They actually get a microphone and read their letters. This is one of them “I am Randy, I feel disappointed in the government, I think it’s a bad idea what the government is doing, I dream this would stop, I hope that Canada would be a better place and I demand that First Nations children be treated equally, I am Randy’. Bethany writes ‘Dear Prime Minister Harper, I think you should go back to grade 5, because I’ve already learnt about something called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that say’s you’re supposed to treat everybody fairly and if you read that thing you
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 39 Associate Professor Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro is of Maori descent and presently Head of the School at Te Kura Maori, Victoria The biggest problem facing University of Wellington, New Zealand. Prior to this Cindy disadvantaged Maori and Pacifica returned to the School of Public Health at Massey University following her term as the fourth and first female Children’s children right now is a lack of Commissioner between 2003–09, where she was the statutory advócate for children and young people. She has worked for adequate resources being committed over 20 years in a wide range of community organisations promoting Māori wellbeing and the wellbeing of children and by the government to crucial services young people. Cindy has a PhD in Policy and works in the areas of children’s health and wellbeing, Indigenous health, and programs. Governments need health systems and health policy. to show leadership and foresight by investing in children now, and by having services focused on early intervention. If there is a failure to invest now, services won’t be as preventative as they should be.”
Professor Cindy Kiro, former New Zealand Children’s Commissioner and first Maori female to have held the post.
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Integrated health and social services: How they contribute to equity and good outcomes for indigenous families.
By Associate Professor Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro
This keynote presentation is not available for publishing but below is the PowerPoint presentation presented from Associate Professor Cynthia Kiro on Wednesday 5 June.
The full presentation can be viewed at our Plenary Videos section at www.snaicc.org.au/conference
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| SNAICC Conference Report | page 43 Kathy (Gotha) Guthadjaka – My Teaching Life My friends call me Gotha. I have taught Yolngu children in the classroom for 40 years or so. As a little girl I just wanted to be a teacher. I began my working career at the bottom rung of the ladder tending goats at the Elcho Island mission. I also worked as a house girl, cleaning dishes and scrubbing floors and then cleared stones for the church foundation before commencing work as a teaching assistant. I gained my teaching qualifications at Batchelor College and not long after that set my sights on pioneering a good education for my people in their own homeland. Most of my life I’ve looked after children. Some were my own children, some my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Others were other people’s grandchildren and some were children with problems at school. In 1991 my husband, Colin and I moved out from Galiwinku to establish a new Homeland Centre and school at Gäwa. At that time I was still teaching with the NT Department of Education at Shepherdson College, where I had put in some 30 years of teaching. I retired from the NT Teaching Service at the end of 2002. In 2003, we made new arrangements for education at Gäwa by partnering with the Northern Territory Christian Schools Association and cutting ties with Shepherdson College. With the arrival of good, dedicated full-time teaching staff and the Gäwa Christian School, I have been able to focus my attention on preserving Warramiri language and history. Of course, my aim is always towards the benefit of our children through good education that fits them. Today I am a recognised fellow in the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University and have represented my people at many venues around the world… Over the years I have kept and presented a clear vision to coming generations. Now I am watching for young people who have learned the vision and want to run with it. Helping these will probably be my final contribution to the future of my people. Without vision the people are breaking up, but not all will break apart and drift away; some will stay to run with the vision.
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The right to and the importance of education for Yolngu kids
By Kathy (Gotha) Guthadjaka
Keynote presentation by Kathy (Gotha) Guthadjaka on Wednesday 5 June.
How are you everybody? Yolnu kids don’t know all the colours in language just blue and black. Hello. I’m Gotha. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this place and the organizers Unless own language increases in step with a of this event. I’m very glad to be sharing with growing knowledge of English, Yolnu people you today. You should know English is my 18th will lose their own language completely. language. It is not my language. This would be a big loss of understanding. As I said at the United Nations Convention on the Other things lost with language would be: Song, Rights of the Child; “Our children have been forced Story, Land Title (Title Deeds are wrapped up and to begin their school life in a language they do kept in Song, Story and Dance), Heritage and not understand. This is causing some very serious Inheritance. In other words, to lose language for problems for Yol?u children.” Yol?u people is to lose most of what we have that I would like to say today that communities that is of real value to us (Wulmat is things of value don’t work properly are a very serious problem. without Wulmat you have nothing) This is coming out, partly, from education delivery Is it good that children should lose their language that isn’t working properly. by going to school? Before we go further, I would like you to watch this • As teachers, there are other reasons for having short 10 minute video that was recorded at Gäwa own language in the classroom. The strongest by a friend on a recent visit… reason is that all learning begins in the known and familiar and moves into the unknown First Education that’s Working and un-familiar. There is no other way for true learning. Even bush turkeys and cockies must Two kinds of education delivery: know how to copy sounds and hear new sounds before they can learn to speak. 1. Education Delivery that works for its students. 2. Education Delivery that does not work for its I want to tell you the story of my husband Colin students. who is Balanda (non Aboriginal). He woke up early in the morning and went to get food he walked Education that does not work for its students does through a camp with camp dogs that don’t like not work. In the end, it will produce communities Balanda they ran up to him barking and wanting that do not work. This is what we are turning to bite him. He yelled Chipbay Cha and the dogs around at Gäwa. stopped and looked up at him. He made them What we have covered together so far is a confused. How is the Balanda talking language… background for what I would really like to say even the dogs understand the importance to you now. of language. Here is what one model of education that is Here is the sound of my people having been taught working for Yolnu looks like: to sing English songs before they could understand the language…(dvd presentation of Bepuka Meaningful: (heart language) Mission Songs screened). Belonging: (ownership and a sense of safety These songs are called ‘Merrily Sink Me Donkey’ and confidence) (Mulka) Felling comfortable, and ‘Lady’. They are Sung by my friend Bepuka, safe and confident. as her mother learnt it 70 years ago at Milingimbi To Maintain the Language: For example (The list Mission station. Now I want you to listen very of words that our children understand is getting carefully to the words and tell me what they mean, smaller, word-by-word. Our words are being because, after 70 years, we are still trying to figure replaced with English words.) Colour by colour that out…
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 45 All our songs have a source and a song line, • In Season local background for lesson content but we have no idea where these songs came from. is for an open door to community involvement. (The lessons are in tune with where the This kind of teaching without regard to barriers community are at seasonally.) (language and culture) doesn’t work very well. At Gäwa, we found that there were two parts to a • In Season local background is used for harmony better way: in the lives of the students between home and school. (We may not realise the effect of bringing discord into the lives of children. Firstly, bridging (Gumurkkunihamirr); It will affect them all their lives. It will create national and global: communities of people with many unrelated parts to their lives. This is not good. Some may Bridging is really about connecting. It is not a think it useful, but it is not healthy.) difficult thing to do. Yolŋu kids love to connect • For keeping the students focussed together. and the whole world loves connecting with Yolŋu ‘Together’ is the normal way that Yolnu people kids. Schools and teachers only need to make work, live and learn. the connections available and the ‘bridging’ will happen automatically. At Gäwa, we have found Bridging Slideshow presented (8 minutes). that ‘bridging’ gives children confidence. (Ŋayaŋu The Slideshow shows bridging in action. mulkayirr ŋuli.) That concludes presentation. Some schools separate Yoŋu and Balanda children. It is not Yolnu way to ask questions and answers. They don’t realise what they have lost. At Gäwa bridging begins automatically at about the age Happy to yarn later about anything raised if you of 3 or 4. If we have time at the end, I will show want to come and speak with us. you some pictures of the kind of bridging that is Thankyou happening at Gäwa.
Secondly, in-season local background for lesson content: For good communication, the new teaching can often be communicated better with a familiar local illustration. This engages the students who take the position of being the ‘experts’ on the subject. A two way teaching often will go with this approach. (The students will often teach the teacher as the teacher is teaching them… like you saw on the video where the students were teaching their art teacher how to spell ŋerrk’.) Wheat and cycad nut example: (Removing the husk and preparing the kernel for eating.) Cycad nuts are common knowledge in Arnhem Land. Wheat is unknown. When teaching about threshing where the husk is removed from the kernel we use cycad nut first because it is known then we move into the unknown.
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| SNAICC Conference Report | page 47 National Initiative – addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the child protection system.
Plenary Panel Presentation on Thursday 6 June. Including SNAICC, QATSICPP, Families Australia, CREATE, and ATSI Healing Foundation.
To view this presentation visit Plenary Videos at www.snaicc.org.au/conference.
Many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Facilitator: Sharron Williams, Chairperson, SNAICC children and young people are already being grown Panel speakers: up safe, loved, connected and culturally strong in their own families and communities. We are all • Rachel Atkinson, QATSICPP, introduced the involved because we are working towards a reality causes of gross overrepresentation and impacts where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of removal and the quest to focus on children children and young people can grow up this and young people’s wellbeing; way. A committed team of Aboriginal and Torres • Sharron Williams, Chairperson, SNAICC Strait Islander organisations led by SNAICC, and introduced the campaign including broad supported by a broad base of national and state strategies as well as specific actions we can all organisations, are planning a initiative to break take to support the campaign; the cycle of persistent and systematic removal of • Simon Schrapel, CEO, Uniting Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and discussed how we can better resource our young people. communities and agencies in partnership with This session shared opportunities to be part of a others to achieve the campaign’s goal; national initiative built on child rights, culture and • Jacqui Reed, CEO, CREATE, discussed self-determination and encourage all Australians to engaging youth and children as integral partners step up and support our families and communities in this campaign and as leaders of change for a to regain our rightful place as the best caregivers better future. for our children and young people. Panel speakers Following these presentations, Richard Weston, introduced the purpose of the national campaign, CEO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing its origins, aims and proposed strategies. It mapped Foundation, facilitated an open forum discussion out the process and proposed ways for everyone to regarding the campaign. Facilitator, Sharron join us in building a powerful movement that can, Williams will conclude with a summary of this and with widespread support, will succeed. discussion and the shared commitments, networks, resources and partnerships crucial to the success of this campaign.
“We have talked about this “SNAICC has had these issues on the process for so long it now agenda for many years, put there by needs to be actioned.” elders and leaders who have come Sharron Williams, Chairperson, SNAICC before us. We now want to progress this journey by providing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations with the solid support of several major NGO’s, coming together to influence and guide the process to create this change.” page 48 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | Frank Hytten, Chief Executive Office, SNAICC For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
Working together to heal Generational trauma within Aboriginal children and their families.
By Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson
Keynote presentation by Professor Judy Atkinson on Thursday 6 June.
To view this presentation visit Plenary Videos at www.snaicc.org.au/conference
Presentation not available for publication at time Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson is a Jiman of printing. (central west Queensland) and Bundjalung (northern New South Wales) woman, with Anglo- Celtic and German heritage. Her academic contributions to the understanding of trauma related issues stemming from the violence of colonisation and the healing/recovery of Indigenous peoples from such trauma won her the Carrick Neville Bonner Award in 2006 for her curriculum development and innovative teaching practice. In 2011 she was awarded the Fritz Redlick Memorial Award for Human Rights and Mental Health from the Harvard University program for refugee trauma. Her book Trauma Trails — Recreating Songlines: The transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia, provides context to the life stories of people who have been moved from their country in a process that has created trauma trails, and the changes that can occur in the lives of people as they make connection with each other and share their stories of healing. Judy is a member of the Harvard Global Mental Health Scientific Research Alliance. She presently serves on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Scientific Advisory Committee on Closing the Gap research, and is on the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, as well as sitting on both the Education and Training Advisory Committee, and the Research Advisory Committee. She is the Patron of the We Al-li Trust.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 49 April Long and Krista McMeeken are young Indigenous women that will share their experiences of promoting self- determination and the full realisation of Indigenous rights in Australia at both a grassroots and international level. Both April and Krista participated as members of the Conference Expert Advisory Group.
April Long is an Aboriginal woman from Narara on A Nyoongar woman, Krista McMeeken is a human rights, the New South Wales Central Coast. April has strong youth and reconciliation advocate in her community in connections to the Gumbaynggir and Darkinjung Perth. Having completed her Bachelor of Laws at the nations on the Central Coast and Mid North Coast of University of Western Australia she is now a Law Graduate NSW. April is passionate about ensuring the rights of at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in WA. Krista is also a f Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly ull-time carer for her mother and a committee member young people. April recently participated in the 2011 for the WA Law Society’s Aboriginal Lawyer’s Committee NGO Delegation to the United Nations reporting on and the National Indigenous Legal Conference 2012. the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the In recognition of her commitment to community issues overrepresentation of Indigenous juveniles in the such as human rights and equal opportunities, Krista was criminal justice system. The overrepresentation of also crowned Miss NAIDOC Perth in 2011, and was a Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system is an finalist for Young Australian of the Year 2011. issue that April is particularly passionate about. In 2012 April obtained a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts. April was previously the National Project Manager of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) and is currently the Program Manager at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE).
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Self-Determination and Collaboration
Keynote presentation by April Long and Krista McMeeken on Thursday 6 June.
By April Long I am going to present on the power of excellence and share my thoughts on constitutional recognition. My presentation is based on the Introduction premise that in order to achieve positive change Good afternoon everyone, I would like to begin by for our people will must collaborate across sectors, acknowledging that we are meeting on the lands across communities from our elder to our youth. of the Gimoy Yindingee people and acknowledge Krista will present on the United Nations their elders both past and present and thank them Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, for their custodianship of land and for allowing us reflect on our journey to the UN and the role that all to be here for the last few days as we talk about international law plays in assisting Aboriginal and important business- our children. Torres Strait Islander Australians advocate for self- My name is April Long and I am privileged to determination and the full realisation of our rights. present with my co presenter Krista McMeeken Rights that Gotha Guthanjuaka and I talked about who I shared a journey to the United Nations with in an earlier presentation, rights to language rights as members of the Non Government Organisation to culture and education. delegation that presented to the United Nations In the work that I do I am privileged to be Committee on the Rights of the Child. surrounded by Indigenous Excellence, at this very As two Aboriginal women who are lawyers we are conference we have heard from the wisdom of going to be typical lawyers and examine the law our elders, met new deadly young leaders, been as it affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander absorbed in the knowledge of academics, teachers, people here in Australia through a discussion doctors and all other contributions. of the Australian Constitution and international We have also heard about the Juvenile Justice rates law- principally the United Nations Declaration that plagued our societies, the health conditions on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Domestic that stop our young people from succeeding, and International law are two frameworks that the overcrowding in housing that restrict families Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. interact with to further advance the rights of Indigenous people. We all have read the newspaper and commercial news segments that down grade our young people. Another framework is the invaluable work of our News filled with images of our people being community and non-government organisations. drunks, and our men being criminals and violators This presentation will also focus on the work that of woman and children’s rights. These images our valuable community organisations do to permeate the news and infect the main stream promote Indigenous Excellence and prosperity discourse; however, there effect on our people for future generations of Aboriginal and Torres is much greater. Strait Islander Children. To a large extent, what we don’t see in the I am a Gumbangiir Darkinjung woman with mainstream media are the 300 young Indigenous ancestral ties to my grandfather’s communities people that I attended university with at the but social and cultural ties to many communities University of New South Wales, or the 40 deadly in Australia. I have been privileged enough to young change makers at the National Indigenous work with our young people from many diverse Youth Leadership Academy that identified issues communities as the Editor of the Indigenous in their community and took action. Or the 500 Law Bulletin, National Manager of the National young people on the Community of Excellence an Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy and I Indigenous social networking site that connects am currently privileged to work at a place that young leaders from around the country on an embodies Indigenous excellence- the National online platform for social change and personal Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern Sydney. development.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 51 We largely don’t see stories of success such as The conclusion being that negative labels change almost 10% of the recognised top 100 women of a person’s self-concept and social identity to influence in 2013 being Aboriginal and Torres Strait conform to a negative image. A negative message Islander women. We don’t hear about the success about a young Aboriginal person’s identity limits of Aboriginal Authors like Anita Heiss or lawyers like their opportunities. Once again we know that Terry Jenkie and Megan Davis. That is of course, stereotypes restrict our communities and limit our unless you pick up an Indigenous newsletter like young people. the Koori Mail or you log on to the Koori Grapevine At the NCIE we do not work within the Facebook. disadvantage framework. Whilst we are aware These images and stories we must celebrate of the challenges in our communities and the and share internally and externally through our work that needs to be done we do not publicise media channels. The development of the National negative stories. The NCIE works in collaboration Indigenous Television Network (NITV) to free to to drive collective impact and create positive social air has made a big impact, however, the dominant change. Through strong partnerships, we facilitate discourse is still largely filled with negative breakthrough learning experiences and sustainable representation of who we are as peoples, as nations life-changing programs. The NCIE is reframing the and contributors to Australian society. national conversation about Indigenous Australia through the lens of excellence and innovation. The broaden-and-build theory states that “positive Our pathways and thought leadership lay the emotions widen peoples outlooks in ways that, foundation for brighter futures for young Aboriginal little by little, reshape who they are”. This is a quote and Torres Strait Islanders by cultivating talent, by Barbara Fredrickson an American psychologist enriching potential and creating opportunities. who conducts research in positive psychology. Evidence suggests, then, that positive emotions Whilst the statistics are concerning we do not focus may fuel individual growth in resilience. Noting that on these and allow our communities and young psychological resilience is an enduring personal people to be imprisoned in them. For example did resource, the broaden-and-build theory makes anyone know that the Australian Research Alliance the bolder prediction that experiences of positive for Children and Youth found that 94% of 4-14 year emotions might also, over time, build psychological olds are involved in sporting, social or community resilience, not just reflect it. activities in Indigenous communities compared to only 60% for non Indigenous sporting and 35% We know that our communities and people are for cultural. The fact that our young people are some of the most resilient in the world, surviving connected socially, culturally and through sport and for 100 of 1000s of years, since time in immoral. recreation is a fantastic thing to be celebrated. We also know that our communities are filled with a sense of humour that enables us to not just survive At the NCIE we surround our young people in but thrive in difficult circumstances. The Positive positive images and role models to ensure our Psychology discourse provides scientific evidence young people know that going to jail isn’t a riot to back what we all know…positivity makes us of passage, being arrested doesn’t make you feel good and is important to our wellbeing. With Aboriginal and regardless of your skin colour, you evidence showing that positivity actually builds are a legitimate Aboriginal who wears their culture resilience surely we all have an obligation to foster and pride on the inside, you can be a lawyer, a and promote positivity? football player, a teacher or a professor. We focus on the excellent to recognise achievement and At the NCIE we aim to build positivity by sharing inspire and expand the possibilities for our young the stories of success. The doctors like Kelvin Kong people. The NCIE is changing the nation’s cultural our lawyers, our teachers and our dancers like the fabric through our expression and promotion of Biddigil dancers that performed and others that Indigenous excellence. We are moving the country have shared their talents during the conference away from the deficit language of disadvantage to major productions by Banggarra and NAISDA. and focusing discussion on Aboriginal and Through showcasing excellence, the NCIE is Torres Strait Islander stories of success, resilience broadening young peoples’ mindsets, expanding and contribution. their opportunities and building their psychological resources, over time these positive emotions will also enhance peoples’ emotional and physical Constitutional Recognition wellbeing. A big issue of recognition that is currently being Edward Said’s Labelling theory also tells us what debated is constitutional recognition. As it currently can happen when the opposite of positive occurs stands there is no positive statement about who when negative messages are constantly received. we are as Indigenous peoples in the Australian According to the theory if you constantly label a constitution, which is the foundational legal Young Aboriginal person as criminal, deviant, document in Australia. Moreover, Aboriginal and and delinquent they will internalise those labels Torres Strait Islander people were not involved and they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. in drafting the document. Such an absence does
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not recognise Indigenous excellence or promote that are based on race must be for the purpose positive messages to our young people. of overcoming disadvantage, ameliorating the effects of past discrimination, or protecting the As ANTAR has recently highlighted there are more cultures, languages or heritage of any group. references to Lighthouses, beacons and buoys in However, who determines if the purpose of the our constitution then there are about Australia’s first law in for overcoming disadvantage there is still peoples. As a lawyer and as a Koori woman that nothing in the section which requires consultation doesn’t seem right. and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait This issue has in many respects divided our Islander peoples. community, it has divided my family. My Aunty A lot of people ask well what was 1967 about didn’t believes we are not bound by the invaders we fix the issue then as you can see on the slides constitution; the current recommendation is weak 67 only started the work. The 1967 reforms allowed and will not result in any real changes or benefits to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be our people. All of the issues that we have discussed counted in the census and made Indigenous affairs at the conference won’t be changed by changing a federal responsibility. This was important because the constitution and to some extent I agree with rights for Aboriginal people where insecure and my aunty. dependent on where one lived. 1967 took out some The constitutional reforms do not include lowering negative sections but it didn’t put anything in that the juvenile justice rates or the infant mortality was positive in its replacement. rates. However, if you apply the Broaden and Build Theory and the Labelling Theory. Surely the fact The language clause is one such clause that that the national document says nothing about recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aboriginal people and our contributions to these languages as the original Australian languages, a lands before colonisation has a negative effect on part of our national heritage. Whilst the legal effect our wellbeing. To be silent on whom we are as a of this clause is limited it recognises our languages peoples does not create positive images for our in the nation’s most foundational legal document. young people. Symbolic change is the only live political possibility. As it stands the Australian Constitution provides But the question people are asking if constitutional limited rights. We have some protection such as change is once in 30, 50 or 100 yr chance will this the right to vote. The right to trial by a Jury of our be enough? Aren’t our people tired of symbolism? Peers. However, as many have noted it’s difficult Don’t we want and need substantive change. to say this right is guaranteed to Aboriginal and Legal protection in the constitution of a more Torres Strait Islander peers when the Jury will maximalist kind is the inclusion of an agreement largely or entirely be made up of non Indigenous making provision or a treaty such as is currently Australians. The right to freedom of religion is also in the Canadian Constitution. This reform would a constitutionally guaranteed right. You also have lead to greater legal rights; however, it is not the right not to be discriminated because you’re a currently a live political reality. A treaty has featured Murri, Koori or Noongar but not because of your over many years of discussion in debate over race simply because of your state of residency constitutional change, some of which the Panel although some would argue that the State of Origin discussed positively but which did not feature in its does that every year… QLD just keeps winning. final recommended package of proposals. There There is no right o freedom of speech or to be is obviously more work that needs to be done free from racism. to establish who the treaty would be between and how it will create positive change for our There is no prohibition on racial discrimination communities? Moreover, I don’t believe a treaty and or a guarantee of equality. constitutionally recognition are mutually exclusive. Australia’s constitution is the only constitution that Nor does constitutional lawyers like Professor allows for the Discrimination on the basis of race George Williams who notes that constitutional and contemplates disqualifying people from voting recognition does not compromise Aboriginal based on race. S.25 is an archaic section that does sovereignty, and considers both as important belong in our constitution. However the section and necessary. He believes that Constitutional has never been used although its presence in our recognition and Aboriginal sovereignty are constitution should be of national shame because like two pieces in a larger puzzle. Recognising it actually contemplates states banning a particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the race from voting. Again this does not promote Constitution will be a stepping-stone to opening Indigenous excellence or create positivity. up a larger conversation about sovereignty and other topics. At the moment we have not constitutional right to be free from discrimination. Others believe sovereignty should be dealt with before constitutional recognition, some believe An Expert Panel have recommended a prohibition that there is never going to be a ‘right’ time to talk of Racial Discrimination. Which states that laws about sovereignty; it will always be contentious
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 53 but something that we must discuss further before In order to achieve constitutional change a double constitutionally recognition. I am of the opinion that majority must be achieved- the majority people sovereignty is a political issue not a legal dispute in a majority of the states must vote yes. Only 8 and not something to be ties into the constitutional out of 44 Referendums have succeeded with the recognition debate. 1967 Referendum being the most convincing YES VOTE. To achieve constitutionally recognition you As it stands constitutional recognition is the issue need to change the hearts and minds of people. on the agenda now. As we currently have the All of the Constitutional law research tells us if political leaders on board, we should take the people don’t know they vote no. It is everybody’s opportunity. democratic right to vote NO my priority is ensuring But in the same vein will Constitutional Recognition that people are educating about the options and lead to real change on the ground and in our the constitution. For me the real issue is when our communities? I believe in equal rights and that the people don’t even know about the changes that are law should not discriminate on the basis of race being put forward and their consequences. that’s why I support constitutional recognition. Constitutional change can only be achieved However, I am not here to campaign but rather through collaboration, across sectors. Similarly, If to simply educate people about the constitution we want to disrupt the negative messages that are and call for a celebration of the intelligence and constantly portrayed to our young people we must dedication of our people to achieve a better future work together to celebrate Indigenous Excellence. for our young people. Partnerships are a powerful thing. The title of We are all trying to something important for our this conference was for our Children Living and mob we are just doing it in different ways. We are Learning Together- that is something I did at diverse, our communities are diverse, our cultures the United Nations with Gotha Guthanjuaka and are diverse but what we need is more collaboration Krista McMeeken along with a NGO delegation. and respect for that difference. I respect that others International law is another way in which we can have differing opinions about changing advocate for our rights as Aboriginal and Torres the constitution. Strait Islander Peoples. I would now like to invite Krista to present.
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infrequently on our home soil, particularly about By Krista McMeeken issues that affect our children. Introduction How often are we given control of matters that affect our people? How often are we actually I would also like to acknowledge the traditional listened to, not merely “consulted” on issues that owners and custodians of the land upon which we disproportionately affect our people? meet, the Gimuy Yidinji (Gimoy Yidingee) people and pay my respects to their elders past, present And how often do the governments and companies and future. of Australia take into account our cultural practices and obligations when drawing up periods for Before I start I would like to read a quote from the discussion before pushing through another ill- President of the United States Barrack Obama, thought-out piece of legislation or policy which “I’m inspired by the people I meet in my travels seeks to take away control of our own futures from – hearing their stories, seeing the hardships us by limiting our income management, limiting they overcome, their fundamental optimism and recognition of our rights to our land and creating decency. I’m inspired by the love people have for an increasing number of avenues towards forced their children. And I’m inspired by my own children, adoption, detention and imprisonment for how full they make my heart. They make me want our children? to make the world a little bit better. And they make me want to be a better man.” This is the message One way to empower ourselves and our I will take away from this conference and I hope you communities is to develop our own awareness have been similarly inspired. of the mechanisms and processes we can use to address the issues affecting our community and My name is Krista McMeeken, I am a Nyoongar then bring them to the attention of others – this can woman from the south-west coast of Western mean talking to other members of your community, Australia and have been blessed with the the media or your local council, the big companies opportunity to work with a great number of or investors in your community or even the internet government, non-government and private community – but in communicating awareness sector organisations seeking to promote self- of what is happening, of our international human determination and the full realisation of Aboriginal rights, of successful Aboriginal programs and and Torres Strait Islander rights in Australia. sharing your views, you are taking affirmative Having qualified as a lawyer, I am passionate steps in having the issue and indigenous views about the advocacy of human rights, cultural recognised within the broader Australian development and reconciliation in our community. community, having an impact on those issues and My work in this area has been across a number of making a difference by lifting the veil into our fields including community programs, educational communities and having our voices heard. If we programs and campaigns for recognition, not only want to see positive discourse and change in our in the constitution, but also in mainstream society. community, I believe we need to start right there – This pursuit has taken me to the international stage in our communities, in our families – and this is what on a number of occasions, the most noteworthy of we have been focusing on all week – supporting which was our presentation to the Committee on and strengthening our families. the Rights of the Child in Geneva in late 2011 to In order for this to happen, the communication give the Committee some perspective, along with coming out of our communities should not just April and Gotha Guthanjuaka, of what it is really be limited to the issues we face, but should also like for an Aboriginal person growing up, living and extend to our triumphs! I know that there are a lot working in Australia. The focus of this presentation of positive things happening in our communities was on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and they deserve to be shared not only amongst and particularly its requirements in relation to the ourselves but also with the broader Australian detention of youth; opportunities provided to, and community. I am calling for an end to the negative the meaningful engagement of, youth; and the discourse regarding Aboriginal peoples largely ability to exercise culture as well as the recognition perpetrated by the media and issuing a call to afforded to culture, in the broader Australian action for constructive work in our communities not community. only to acknowledge the issues in our community For me I think the most shocking part of this but also to give proper recognition to grass roots experience was how keen the Committee was to programs in our communities making a difference listen to us! I guess what’s scary about that is - why in areas of health, education, sport, community should it be? We, as Aboriginal people belong to leadership, to name a few, in which our people and one of the oldest, if not the oldest, cultures in the our youth are excelling. Because this is the message world, we are Australia’s first peoples, we have a all Australians need to hear, and our children unique understanding of, and connection to, our deserve to hear – we are strong and successful and land and those around us and we have experienced determined to make a change. some of the greatest traumas and trespasses made I work with a number of cultural and educational against an individual race. But being listened programs in my community which seek to provide to, and heard, is an experience that we get so guidance and opportunities to our youth, but
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 55 one program with a difference is Miss NAIDOC to support the development of a discourse that Perth – a women’s leadership and empowerment is removed from the trauma, shame, blame and program which offers young Aboriginal and Torres knee-jerk responses of our past to the promotion Strait Islander women 6 weeks of training in public of prosperity and excellence for our children’s speaking, self awareness and self confidence futures. And that, in a nut shell, was our experience through mentoring with the NAIDOC Perth in Geneva, an experience which resulted in tangible Committee; the David Wirrpanda Foundation outcomes being promoted to our government and top indigenous model and mentor Shannon by the UN and which saw a commitment to the McGuire. During this time the young women are instalment of a national child rights commissioner, encouraged to articulate and develop their plans Ms Megan Mitchell – who addressed us earlier this for the advancement of our community before week. being given a platform to share these views at Perhaps the key document, which promotes their community presentation night. One lucky engaging in this positive and equalising discourse advocate is then given the title of Miss NAIDOC of Aboriginal advancement is the United Nations Perth and provided with a 12 month platform from Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. which to engage with the community and effect This document, to which Australia is a signatory, real change in the areas of our community they are sets out the individual and collective rights of most passionate about. Having just completed our indigenous peoples, including rights to culture, 2013 campaign I can tell you a few things about our identity, language, employment, health, and girls: they are stunning, they are intelligent, they education. It also “emphasizes the rights of are proud of who they are and they are passionate indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen about our community, and the future of our children their own institutions, cultures and traditions, and to – this is the kind of thing that the media and pursue their development in keeping with their own broader Australian community should pick up needs and aspirations”. It “prohibits discrimination on – proud indigenous youth engaging with against indigenous peoples”, and it “promotes and positively promoting their communities and their full and effective participation in all matters their culture. that concern them and their right to remain distinct Programs like Miss NAIDOC recognise that while and to pursue their own visions of economic and we may not all born to be politicians, we do all have social development”. While this is an excellent a voice and we can all be teachers and makers of recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples change within our community. Gandi once said, and creates an international standard, Australia “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in has not adopted this document into national law. the world would also change. As a man changes It is therefore, in a legal sense, not binding upon his own nature, so does the attitude of the world the Australian government. I therefore urge the change towards him... we need not wait to see what Australian government not only to adopt the others do”. That is to say that personal and social principles of the declaration when addressing transformation goes hand in hand. It is about an indigenous issues, but also to enshrine this awareness that one person alone can not change document into domestic law so that it represents anything; unjust authority can only be overturned a base line requirement for all negotiations and by great numbers of people working together developments with Aboriginal and Torres Strait with discipline and persistence. And this is the Islander peoples in Australia and not simply our way Aboriginal culture has always been – learning aspirations. together, teaching each other and moving forward. In speaking of aspirations, I think it is important We should be continually collaborating between to emphasise not only the importance of ourselves, our communities and the broader constitutional recognition for Aboriginal Australians Australian community (like we have been all week) in and of itself, but also the importance of on how to create even more success in substance over symbolism. We, as Aboriginal our communities by sharing our stories and people, do not simply want lip service from experiences and learning from each other. the government - our country, our people, This way we get an idea of the bigger picture and all Australians, deserve better. Australia is a share in the success together, as one people, as developed, first world, country – we should have one Australian community. first rate recognition of our country’s history and I think it is easy to feel alone as we step p to the it’s future – and that is where Aboriginal and Torres issues facing our community every day but if we Strait Islander people lie – not simply a part of this have learnt one thing from this conference – it’s that nations history but also at the heart of its future. It is we are all in this together and together we have the for this reason, among many others, that Australia’s passion and the numbers to make a change. “founding document”, the Constitution, should substantially ensure the recognition and equal One avenue I have learnt a lot about our rights development of its first peoples. from, and which impacts the broader Australian community with respect to indigenous rights is I strongly encourage you to access the information international law. International law is one of many available in regard to constitutional reform, to make mechanisms that seek to provide an avenue for a decision for yourself and to become an advocate the recognition of our rights here in Australia and in your community – sharing the information with
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others – so that they too can make an informed To quote Obama once more, decision on constitutional recognition for themselves. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the kind of conversation this generates, the ”change will not come if enthusiasm of people in your broader community for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait we wait for some other Islander Australians in the constitution and the strength and unity that develops as a result of this joint process – after all recognition isn’t just person, or if we wait for for us, it’s about all Australians standing up and recognising our history and our future - together. some other time. We are On that note I encourage you all to take the lessons you have learnt not only from the formal sessions the ones we have been this week, but also from your informal discussions with other participants and community members back to your own community and to use that waiting for. We are the energy and momentum to make the changes you want to see in your community and to shift our change that we seek.” national discourse from one of shame and regret to one of hope and strength in our collective futures – because we know our children deserve better. Thank you.
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 57 page 58 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | 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
PROGRAM
| www.snaicc.org.au |
SNAICC_Program Cover_final.indd 1 10/05/13 12:02 PM Program at a glance 2013 SNAICC CONFERENCE For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
| MONDAY 3 June | Pre-Conference Workshops | For prepaid registrations only | 2pm to 5pm
Opening Plenary Concurrent Sessions 1 to 10
| 9am to 10.30am | GREAT HALL | 11am to 12.30pm | • Welcome to country 1. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Promising strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young • Welcome performance by Yarrabah State School Dance people to realise their rights. Forum Troupe 2. HALL A+B Therapeutic family support. • Welcome from SNAICC Chairperson Sharron Williams 3. HALL C Appropriate out of home care for Aboriginal children. • Welcome message : National Children’s Commissioner, 4. HALL D Parents in early childhood practice. Ms Megan Mitchell, Human Right Commission. 5. MEETING ROOM 6 Stories from early childhood services. • International Keynote Speaker : Ms. Marta Maurás Perez 6. MEETING ROOM 2 Skill development for early childhood – The right to culture for Indigenous children in the Convention workers. on the Rights of the Child. 7. MEETING ROOM 5 Cultural Support Plans. Workshop • International Keynote Speaker : A/Prof.Cindy Blackstock 8. MEETING ROOM 1 Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres – Just because we are small does not mean we can’t stand tall. Strait Islander cultures. Workshop A keynote address on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on 9. MEETING ROOM 8 Healing through reunions. First Nations child welfare. YARNING CIRCLE
TUESDAY 4 June | Y 1 | TUESDAY 10. MEETING ROOM 7 Successful ways of working with Morning tea Aboriginal young people. Yarning Circle Posters and Exhibitors Visit DA Lunch, exhibitors and posters Audio visual loop screenings HALL D
Opening Plenary Concurrent Sessions 31 to 40
| 9am to 10.30am | GREAT HALL | 11am to 12.30pm | • Performance by children from Boopa Werem 31. MEETING ROOM 5 Advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Kindergarten Torres Strait Islander children • Keynote Address : Prof. Cindy Kiro 32. HALL C Journeys with the National Quality Standards for early – Integrated health and social services: How they contribute childhood services. to equity and good outcomes for Indigenous families. 33. HALL A+B Different approaches to intensive family support. • Keynote Address : Kathy Guthadjaka (Gotha) 34. HALL D Early intervention and prevention – working with – The right to, and importance of education for Yolngu kids. mothers. 35. MEETING ROOM 2 Services supporting families supports Morning tea and INTERACTIVE POSTER PRESENTATIONS community wellbeing. Mezzanine Level 36. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Healing as part of helping. 37. MEETING ROOM 7 Creating open space – professional development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s services. Workshop 38. MEETING ROOM 1 Improving numeracy outcomes for young Australian Indigenous children. Workshop 39. MEETING ROOM 8 SNAICC’s guide to philanthropy WEDNESDAY 5 June | Y 2 | WEDNESDAY and fundraising. Yarning Circle
Posters and Exhibitors Visit 40. CONFERENCE ROOMS 1 to 3 Drumbeat music for DA social learning and connection to community. Workshop
Lunch, exhibitors and posters Audio visual loop screenings HALL D
Opening Plenary Concurrent Sessions 61 to 70
| 9am to 10.30am | GREAT HALL | 11am to 12.30pm | • Performance by Parramatta State School Dance Troupe 61. MEETING ROOM 5 Rights, responsibilities and strategies • National Campaign – addressing the over representation – Aboriginal services. of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young 62. HALL D Child protection – models of prevention. people in the child protection system. 63. HALL A+B Reclaiming Aboriginal culture for young children. a Panel of Presenters including SNAICC, QATSICPP, 64. HALL C Cultural competence. Families Australia, CREATE, and ATSI Healing Foundation. 65. MEETING ROOM 6 Stories from healing programs. Morning tea 66. MEETING ROOM 2 Early childhood services and families partnerships – transition to school. 67. MEETING ROOM 1 Cultural safety and social change. Workshop 68. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Healing intergenerational trauma. Workshop 6 June | Y 3 | thursday Posters and Exhibitors Visit DA MEETING ROOM 1+2 . Judy Atkinson MEETING ROOM 3+4 Workshop B A. Working with Children at Risk: developmental B. Assoc.Prof. Cindy Blackstock trauma within a complex trauma environment. Children’s voices have power!
Concurrent Sessions 11 to 20 Concurrent Sessions 21 to 30 Evening Social Options | 1.30pm to 3pm | | 3.30pm to 5pm | by prior purchase 11. HALL C Sustainable models and approaches to change 21. HALL C Genuine partnerships for change – Forum from 6.00pm up in child and family services. 22. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Pride and strengths in parenting. until 10.30pm 12. MEETING ROOM 2 Play Power. 23. MEETING ROOM 8 When young people are at risk • Dinner and 13. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Child and family services – what works? Film Night at - fostering community engagement. 24. HALL D Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early 14. MEETING ROOM 6 Men’s business. childhood educators. Yarrabah 15. HALL A+B Engaging and empowering women 25. MEETING ROOM 2 Show and tell – engaging young OR – better outcomes for children. children and community. • Dinner and 16. MEETING ROOM 8 Practical solutions and resources 26. HALL A+B Trauma and healing tools for Aboriginal for 1st language. child and family workers. Rainforestation 17. MEETING ROOM 5 Celebrating Aboriginal identity 27. MEETING ROOM 1 Whole community approach to Cultural Evening with young people. child protection and community risk-mapping. Workshop OR 18. HALL D Protecting Aboriginal children experiencing 28. MEETING ROOM 5 The Power of Participation… family violence. perspective of Aboriginal children and young people • Inlet Cruise 19. MEETING ROOM 1 Practical best practice in the early in care. Workshop years – hands on. Workshop 29. MEETING ROOM 7 Journey with playgroups in remote 20. MEETING ROOM 7 Sharing good practice: implementing communities. Yarning Circle the early years learning framework. Yarning Circle 30. MEETING ROOM 6 Family law pathways - supporting *BONUS TUE. MEETING ROOM 9 Craft from caring for Country Aboriginal families at risk. Workshop
Afternoon Tea
Concurrent Sessions 41 to 50 Concurrent Sessions 51 to 60 Tropical Conference | 1.30pm to 3pm | | 3.30pm to 5pm | Dinner 41. MEETING ROOM 2 Future Funding for Aboriginal and 51. HALL D Cultural advice in child protection decision-making. - Cairns Terminal Torres Strait Islander Integrated Early Childhood and Family Forum Function Centre Support Services: Where to Now? Forum 52. HALL A+B Partnerships and new ways of working in 7pm to 10.30pm 42. HALL C Aboriginal care for Aboriginal children. early childhood services. 43. HALL A+B Culturally safe service delivery. 53. MEETING ROOM 2 Out of home care – transitioning, 44. HALL D Conversational reading and teaching literacy sibling groups, stability. with traditional Indigenous activities. 54. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Stories of delivering services 45. MEETING ROOM 3+4 Kinship care. in remote communities. 46. MEETING ROOM 1 Children’s Commissioners: working 55. MEETING ROOM 1 Integrated training and workplace together to advocate for outcomes for Aboriginal and development in early childhood services. Torres Strait Islander children. Yarning Circle 56. MEETING ROOM 8 The contribution of community 47. MEETING ROOM 5 National Disability Strategy: resources. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. 57. HALL C Educaring for whole of community change 48. MEETING ROOM 6 Engaging men through cultural in healing generational trauma. Prof. Judy Atkinson. activities. Yarning Circle Workshop 49. MEETING ROOM 8 SNAICC resource service. 58. MEETING ROOM 6 Women’s business. Yarning Circle Yarning Circle (for women only). 50. MEETING ROOM 7 Bi-lingual education. Workshop 59. MEETING ROOM 7 Celebrating country in the early years. Yarning Circle *BONUS WED. MEETING ROOM 9 Craft from caring for Country 60. MEETING ROOM 5 A partnership model … culturally Afternoon Tea and INTERACTIVE POSTER PRESENTATIONS appropriate evidence based services. Workshop - Mezzanine
Closing Plenary Art and Craft Market | 1.30pm to 3pm | GREAT HALL supported by 69. MEETING ROOM 7 Where to next for shared learning and UMI Arts advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children • Performance by Biddigil Performing Arts Group & Family Centres? Workshop • Keynote Address: Prof. Judy Atkinson - Working Cairns Convention 70. MEETING ROOM 8 How to engage in the National Campaign together to heal Generational trauma within Aboriginal Centre Foyer and children and their families –support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow Plaza up safe and loved in their family and community Workshop • Keynote Address: April Long, Law Graduate, National *BONUS THURS. MEETING ROOM 9 Craft from caring for Country Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy at The National 3pm to 5pm Centre of Indigenous Excellence and Krista McMeeken, Lunch, exhibitors and posters Law Graduate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers Audio visual loop screenings HALL D – Self-determination and Collaboration. • Conference closing remarks - SNAICC Conference Expert Advisory Group Chairperson, Desley Thompson. CONFERENCE DAY 1 | TUESDAY 4 June |
Opening Plenary Concurrent Sessions 1 to 10 Family Resiliency: Early | 9am to 10.30am | | 11.00am to 12.30pm | intervention and prevention is hard work. GREAT HALL An interactive presentation of our 1 Promising strategies to support • Welcome to country therapeutic family support model, Aboriginal and Torres Strait supported by case examples. • Welcome performance by Islander children and young Yarrabah State School Dance Theresa Mace, Janelle Tyson, John people to realise their rights Baldwin, Kummara Association Inc.QLD Troupe | FORUM | • Welcome by SNAICC A Long and Winding Road: MEETING ROOM 3+4 F Chairperson Sharron Williams Using trauma theory to enhance • Welcome message: National This session will explore the way we work with Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner, developments in Aboriginal and families. Ms Megan Mitchell, Human Torres strait Islander children VACCA’s journey towards using Rights Commission. and youth rights in the past few trauma informed approaches • International Keynote Speaker: years, and opportunities looking throughout its work with families Ms Marta Maurás Perez — The ahead, focusing on key strategies and in supporting staff. right to culture for indigenous for improving child protection Adela Holmes and co-presenters. Victorian children in the Convention on outcomes for our children. Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Vic. the Rights of the Child. • Olga Havnen, CEO Danila Dilba Health • Keynote Address: A/Prof. Services – on recent developments, Cindy Blackstock opportunities and challenges in the 3 appropriate Out-of-Home Just because we are small child protection and family support Care for Aboriginal Children service system. does not mean we can’t hALL C stand tall. • Will Hayward, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services Transforming the Landscape: This keynote address will focus (NATSILS) - on law and policy reform on the Canadian Human Rights reshaping outcomes. Inside and Out. Tribunal on First Nations child • Assoc. Professor Cindy Blackstock - From expanded premises, welfare. How did it achieve on using strategic litigation and public Tangentyere Council is building on an increase in supporters campaigning, with children and young to their Safe Families program to from 20 in a room the day the people leading the way in Canada. provide a therapeutic residential complaint was filed in 2007 to • Assoc. Professor Cindy Kiro - on the care program that has taken into hundreds of people coming to National Children’s Commissioner as a consideration the emotional and watch these historic hearings forum for change of Indigenous children the environmental landscape of and over 11,000 people and in New Zealand. those involved with the program. organizations following the • Olga Havnen - Conclusion Melissa Kean, Debra Garrett, Safe House, case worldwide? Cindy will also Tangentyere Council Inc., NT showcase ‘mosquito advocacy’ and share some strategies on 2 Therapeutic Family Support Caring Responsibly for how small groups with great GREAT HALL A+B Aboriginal and Torres Strait ideas for children but few Islander Children and their resources can tackle the big What’s the Buzz? Bumblebees: Families: An Agency Approach. guys and win. A Therapeutic Preschool. The presentation is about This workshop will explore the Djooraminda (‘djoora’ meaning Morning Break therapeutic preschool model child and ‘minda’ meaning home | 10.30am to 11.00am | developed, including family in the language of the Bardima assessment, individual therapy language group of the Yamitji sessions and the group curriculum people) a branch of Centrecare based on developing foundation which is funded to provide child and therapeutic learning areas placement and family support within a culturally-relevant setting. services to Aboriginal and Torres Savana Little, Phoenix House, Qld Strait Islander families and children in the Perth metropolitan area. Glenda Kickett, Helen Humes, Centrecare- Djooraminda, WA
F FORUM WS WORKSHOP YC YARNING CIRCLE page 62 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
Building and maintaining Presentation of this set of connections: towards a model workshops that aim to engage of culturally safe, therapeutic Indigenous parents and carers care for traumatised Aboriginal of young Indigenous children and Torres Strait Islander in successful, worthwhile and children. sustainable ways that build Indigenous community capacity This presentation will explore an and support adult learning. innovative model of culturally safe, Jenni Curtis, Narelle Hansen, Australian therapeutic care for Aboriginal Parents Council — Indigenous Parent and Torres Strait Islander children Factor program, WA and young people, removed from their families as a result of abuse and neglect. 5 Stories from Early Childhood Janise Mitchell, Shaun Chandran, Services Australian Childhood Foundation MEETING ROOM 6 VIC and Glenda Kickett, Centrecare – Djooraminda, WA Strait Start for a strong Torres Strait. 4 Parents in Early Childhood The success of Strait Start — Practice a community-led early education hALL D program for families in the Torres Strait. Families as First Teachers Katie Denzin, Lui (Ned) David, YUMI (FaFT): demystifying systems, Education Support Service, Torres Strait nurturing children, empowering Islanders’ Regional Education Council (TSIREC), Qld families. This presentation highlights Our Way, Your Way, My Way. the FAFT story and engages A community’s journey of learning participants in a sample of FAFT together. resources. Lavene Ngatokorua, Port Augusta Rosetta Brim, Kathryn Mannion, Clorine Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Fatnowna, Families As First Teachers Development and Parenting, and Tji Tji program. QLD Wiru – Davenport Community Council, SA
Families and Educators working The skills and strengths together to create safe and Aboriginal and Torres Strait supportive environments for Islander children bring to school Aboriginal and Torres Strait Drawing on analysis of information Islander Children. collected from Footprints in A presentation on the findings Time: the Longitudinal Study of research conducted with of Indigenous Children, this Aboriginal parents and the presentation will highlight the implications for the decisions kinds of skills and strengths that made by non-Aboriginal early Aboriginal and Torres Strait childhood educators working Islander children develop in with Aboriginal and Torres Strait early childhood. Islander families. Presented by Sharon Barnes and Fiona Lynette Callaghan, Casey Bell, Kalaya Skelton, Footprints in Time, Australian Children’s Centre, SA Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Parent Factor Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and Program — Successful Learning Stephanie Armstrong from the Australian in the Early Years at Home and Council for Educational Research (ACER) School. and co-authored by Sarah Buckley (ACER), ACT
The SNAICC conference program has identified some sessions as ‘Yarning Circles’.
How are we defining ‘Yarning Circle’? YC A yarn up or yarning is an Aboriginal term meaning In this SNAICC conference we want the Yarning to converse or have a conversation. A non-Aboriginal Circle to be about open conversations, learning from equivalent would be a discussion circle. This is others, allowing equal participation in a safe space an informal way of learning where a facilitator or where every person in the circle can feel comfortable discussion leader assists the communication flow so to share, feel supported and is respectful of each that discussion and information is shared and equally other’s learning styles and wisdom. distributed around participants. | SNAICC Conference Report | page 63 6 Skill development for early 8 Celebrating Aboriginal and Concurrent Sessions 11 to 20 childhood workers Torres Strait Islander Cultures and Bonus Tuesday Workshop | WORKSHOP | | 1.30pm to 3.00pm | MEETING ROOM 2 WS MEETING ROOM 1 Innovative Rural Remote An interactive session that through Children’s Services Delivery. 11 Sustainable models and storytelling and visual art will approaches to change in A visual presentation with strengthen connection to culture by Child and Family Services discussions around principles and enabling and inspiring the use of practices, with opportunity to share the arts as healing and celebratory hALL C ideas of what rural remote Early mediums of self and community- Childhood services want for their expression. National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children: educators. Davina Woods, Victoria University, Diana Homer, Early Childhood education School of Education, Vic. progress, challenges and next and care workforce action plan, 2011–14: steps. Rural Remote Engagement Strategy, 9 healing through reunions The presentation will provide an Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, update on, and the challenges Nambour, Qld | YARNING CIRCLE | facing, the National Framework YS Yarn Up Tok Blo Yumi. MEETING ROOM 8 for Protecting Australia’s Children, Australia’s first ever national plan to Innovative delivery to support Link-Up Victoria clients are Stolen tackle child abuse and neglect. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Generations and include any inclusion in early childhood. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Stella Conroy, Families Australia, ACT Tania Porter, Tara Franks — Workforce adult who has been removed, From ‘Aboriginal disadvantage’ Council; Kerryn Maroney — Consultant; fostered, adopted or placed in an to ‘a life one values’ — Katharin Bartley — Indigenous Professional institution who wishes to find and Reconsidering Aboriginal Support Unit QLD. reconnect with their family. development objectives. Department Education, Training and Bev Murray, Angela Swindle, Link-Up Employment, Workforce Council, Victoria, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Most existing ‘Aboriginal Indigenous Professional Support Unit, Qld Agency (VACCA), Vic. development’ programs focus on reducing Aboriginal disadvantage, Quality through Qualifications: but this paper argues for a Achieving outcomes for children 10 Successful ways of working broader approach, the ‘capabilities through skills development. with Aboriginal Young People approach’, which encompasses | YARNING CIRCLE | Overview and discussion Aboriginal cultural values, YS of changes to the national MEETING ROOM 7 perspectives on well-being and qualifications for early childhood development aspirations. educators in Australia. Talk the talk and walk the walk Author — Anna Rakoczy, University of Emma Richards, Community Services and — combining ways of knowing California, Berkeley, USA. Co-Author and Health Industry Skills Council, NSW for delivering powerful women’s Presenter — Krista McMeeken, Lawyer at business education to young Corrs Chambers Westgarth, WA 7 Cultural Support Plans girls. Stronger Futures: A Rights-Based | WORKSHOP | The yarning circle will commence Approach. with a presentation about creating MEETING ROOM 5 This paper explores key human a culturally sound ‘women’s rights principles and standards Bringing Cultural Support Plans business’ education program for relevant to the Stronger Futures Alive for Aboriginal and Torres young girls in a savvy youth friendly legislation, and in particular income framework. Strait Islander Children in Out-of- management — how government Home Care. Gloria Dalywater, Kima O’Donnell – YFER and communities can work The Fred Hollows Foundation, NT An interactive workshop exploring together to ensure compliance the planning, research and with human rights standards and implementation of a meaningful Lunch Break to achieve the very important cultural journey for Aboriginal and | 12.30pm to 1.30pm | objectives of the Stronger Futures measures. In particular, key Torres Strait Islander children in Film Screenings Loop HALL D out-of-home care. principles contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Yolanda Finnette, Kalimna Jackomos, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Child and the UN Declaration on (VACCA), Vic. the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be explored as principles to guide implementation of the Government’s Stronger Futures commitment. This session is aimed at advocates, community workers and government officials and policy makers. Ben Schokman, Human Rights Law Centre, Vic. page 64 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
12 Play Power Beyond The Rainbow and into Building stronger Northern The Dreamtime: a story-play Territory Indigenous communities MEETING ROOM 2 program for children 3–8 years through reforming the child and Taking Playgroups beyond play: Focusing on language and family service system. A simple model with real impacts cognitive development, the This presentation focuses on for later life for Aboriginal presentation will showcase the processes and outcomes to children and families. developing children’s play using date of the Northern Territory This presentation will provide Australian Aboriginal and non- Government’s work to integrate an overview of Playgroup WA’s Aboriginal stories. early childhood services in Indigenous playgroup programs Claire Jennings, OzChild Vic. Indigenous communities. An and outline in more detail how innovative community engagement child development including health 13 Child and family services methodology is supporting local and wellbeing are incorporated – Fostering community Indigenous families and community into the program along with engagement and self- service providers to plan an building capacity within families. determination integrated service delivery model. Christine Hawkes, Rebecca Murphy, Regional services will be refocused Playgroup Western Australia, WA MEETING ROOM 3+4 to achieve the local plan, which will be further supported by NT-wide Not Just Kids Play – A Model The Goothlins Women’s arrangements. of Playgroup in Aboriginal Network — a case study of Self- Emily Raso, Kate Race, Integrated Family and Torres Strait Islander Determination in practice. Services, Department of Education and communities. An auspicing arrangement Children’s Services, Northern Territory Government, NT Not Just Kids Play will discuss the between a national provider model developed over the past 12 with a community focus and an Aboriginal Youth and Family years by Playgroup Queensland for emerging Aboriginal organisation Network: Sharing the journey; working towards better outcomes the implementation of supported Connecting Communities in for children. The strengths of this playgroups in Queensland Cultural Ways. Aboriginal and Torres Strait arrangement and the components This paper will outline the way Islander communities, including for its success will be presented. a community developed their urban, regional and remote and Monique Perusco, Good Beginnings own Aboriginal network in details the critical factors that need Australia; Janette Wyles, The Midtha Goothalins Women’s Network; Jacqueline partnership with governments, to be considered for the strategy to Bennett, Good Beginnings Australia and non-government service providers be successful. Midtha Goothalins Women’s Network, Qld. and local Aboriginal organisations. Lesley Olsen, Playgroup Queensland, Qld It will also present the outcome — a new model of service delivery with tools based on social and emotional wellbeing developed with the whole of community. A culturally-appropriate service that is also accountable to local Aboriginal people. Rosie Reschke, ac.care Aboriginal Youth and Family Network, Cheryl Love, DECD, Aboriginal Youth and Family Network Executive Committee Representative, SA
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 65 14 Men’s Business 16 Practical solutions and 17 Celebrating Aboriginal Identity resources for 1st Language with Young People MEETING ROOM 6 MEETING ROOM 8 MEETING ROOM 5 Brutha’s Day Out. The aim of the Brutha’s Day Out Guugu Yimithirr Language Measuring Success — (BDO) program is to build stronger Program. Implementing culturally connections between Aboriginal The Indigenous Knowledge respectful and responsive men by their participation in Centre (IKC) runs this program Child Protection and Youth cultural activities, which build self- with parents/grandparents and Diversionary programs in esteem and strengthen the role of other members of the community. Western Australia — The Aboriginal men in relation to each Any language program gives the challenges and benefits of a other, their family and community. feeling of identity, belonging and community led approach. Shaun Braybrook, Wulgunggo Ngalu what should families be made Save the Children has been Learning Place; Jo Fox, Relationships of a feeling of unity, closeness successful in establishing a diverse Australia Victoria. Vic. and need. range of youth development Shirley Costello, Hope Vale Indigenous initiatives in both metropolitan and Working with Central Desert Knowledge Centre (IKC). QLD Men Who Use Violence. remote locations. However, how do we ensure that these initiatives are Kate Francis will use a short Learning to read together through language and culture responsive to the dynamic and ever presentation and a storytelling changing community need? approach to shed light on the can be fun! The Honey Ant Ross Wortham, Karina Chicote, Save the Cross Borders approach to Readers. Children. WA working with Central Desert men in Strengthening connection to community. culture and respect for Aboriginal Sharing our tree of life in ways Kate Francis, Cross Borders Indigenous languages, through using the that make us strong. Family Violence Program. NT stories and language of Elders to This presentation will share how teach children to read. the use of stories using the Tree 15 Engaging and Empowering Margaret James, Honey Ant Readers of Life approach can be used with Women – better outcomes for and Elders from Yipirinya School Council, young Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and communities Alice Springs. NT Islander people as a way of helping them to celebrate their culture, GREAT HALL A+B Practical solutions for teaching reading and writing in English share their stories and heal. Old Mapoon Women’s Group. and Aboriginal First Languages. Lisa McClung, Shaun Coade, Aboriginal Services, Berry St. VIC This presentation will highlight the An overview of the Australian importance of women’s groups in Literacy and Numeracy Identity for Young Aboriginal addressing family and community Foundation’s Early Language & People. social issues by seeking local Literacy Program — the delivery The presentation will focus around solutions. of which can be in a nominated what identity means to a young Leanne Ellis, Christine Cooktown, Aboriginal First Language and/or Aboriginal person, and how it Apunipima Cape York health Council, and English, as per the request of the impacts on them throughout Jessica Tabuai Mapoon Women’s Group community. Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council. QLD their lives, also looking at how Mary-Ruth Mendel, Australian Literacy sometimes the system still creates A Strong Voice by Women — & Numeracy Foundation. NSW barriers. the Yuendumu Early Childhood Dee Sabey, Shona Foster, Families SA. SA Reference Group. This presentation will tell the story of this group becoming a strong voice: developing a strong sense of identity and commitment to leadership in Early Childhood and how they are being listened to by government and other agencies about what is important for growing up strong little kids in Yuendumu. Presented by the strong Warlpiri women involved – childcare workers, teachers, education assistants, mums and community members. Yuendumu Early Childhood Reference Group, Warlpiri Education and Training Trust and World Vision Australia NT
page 66 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
18 Protecting Aboriginal children 19 Practical best practice in the Concurrent Sessions 21 to 30 experiencing family violence early years – hands on | 3.30pm to 5.00pm | | WORKSHOP | hALL D MEETING ROOM 1 WS 21 Genuine Partnerships Preventing family violence and for change | FORUM | supporting our children our way: Using Indigenous resources in national Process Framework for an early years environment. hALL C F Good Practice Principles A hands-on 90-minute workshop designed to involve early childhood This session will explore the This session will introduce a draft meaning of genuine partnerships national Process Framework for educators who are interested in exploring practical solutions between mainstream and Good Practice Principles which Aboriginal and Torres Strait aims to underpin strategies to to implementing best practice principles. Islander services, and some of prevent and respond to family the challenges and opportunities Lorraine Walker, other Educational violence — with a particular focus that they bring. Sector leaders on the needs of Aboriginal and Experience support personnel, Educational Experience. NSW share their learnings on how these Torres Strait Islander children. The partnerships can contribute to session will highlight why this is so stronger local leadership and critical, the key evidence available 20 Sharing good practice: new ways of working to support and the process engaged to date. Implementing the Early and strengthen families caring for Comments will then be invited Years Learning Framework young children. | YARNING CIRCLE | from participants. A participant Speakers will share practical discussion will be facilitated to MEETING ROOM 7 YS tools for embarking on a refine the framework and identify successful process of partnership key practices from services that This yarning circle is coordinated development and overcoming implement it. by SNAICC policy staff and will some of the challenges ahead. Sharron Williams, Secretariat of National be presented by several service • Marcus Stewart, Bubup Wilam Aboriginal and Islander Child Care providers including: Lisa Coulson, Child and Family Centre VIC (SNAICC). VIC Director, Tasmanian Aboriginal Child Care Association (TACCA), • Nick Corrigan, AbSec NSW Lifeline’s Domestic Violence Louise Cave, Director, Birrelee • Betty Shepherd, Travis Borsi, Response Training (DV-alert) for MACS (NSW) and Stacey Brown, Save the Children NT Frontline Workers supporting Director, Yappera Children’s • Michele Pucci, Wunan Indigenous communities Services Victoria. VIC Aboriginal Corporation, The Indigenous DV-alert program Halls Creek WA enables frontline workers who | BONUS | TUESDAY WORKSHOP • Olga Havnen, Danila Dilba support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Craft from caring for Country Health Service NT Islander families and communities with community to recognise, respond and refer BONUS 22 Pride and strengths in MEETING ROOM 9 Foyer cases of domestic and family parenting violence. This interactive workshop includes MEETING ROOM 3+4 Uieta Kaufusi, Lifeline Australia. ACT a multimedia presentation and will give participants Mwarre Families - developing opportunity to experience first- and delivering an Aboriginal hand the Community-for-Family Parenting Program. Collaborations and other programs run by Reuse and Recycle. Through the development and Participants will make crafts based delivery of an Aboriginal Parenting on the Care for Country program Program, Tangentyere Council run at MNA Kids Club and also is working towards building a have a hands-on experience of program that focuses on existing the Swap It! Cooking for Family strengths of Town Camp families program. whilst introducing new skills for a culturally and contextually relevant Char Paul, Marie Tonks, Brenda Pearson and Liza Sellton, the MNA Kids Club - parenting program. Reuse and Recycle, Cairns Inc. QLD Mel Kean, Nina Levin, Tangentyere Council. NT Afternoon Break | 3.00pm to 3.30pm |
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 67 Parenting our way: implications 24 aboriginal and Torres Strait Building Resilience, Respect for practice. Islander early childhood and Relationship through This presentation is a culmination educators (Mainly Music) Rhythm, of a review of anthropological hALL D Response and Routine. studies and yarning focus groups The mainly music program with Elders on what it means to Acknowledging and honouring presents music-based activities, parent our way and the strengths the past…our children our to Indigenous children (aged 0–5) this brings to raising our children. present…their journey and their and their families, in a culturally- Gerald Featherstone, Kummara teaching our future. appropriate way, to build resilience, Association Inc. and Uni. Qld. School of Three young Aboriginal and Torres respect, relationship, attachment Social Work and Human Services. QLD Strait Islander teachers from the and care through family support and early childhood development. Consider the Jarjums. Cape and Gulf, who are leaders in their field, share the incredible Julie Theakston, Tablelands Counselling & A presentation introducing this ways of knowing and being that Support Service; Raelene Hawke, mainly DVD that was specifically produced their children have taught and music; Donna Grogan, Mareeba Child & to present a culturally appropriate Family Centre, Mulungu. QLD inspired them with. resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents going Sarah Callinan, Creche & Kindergarten Association Qld LTD [C&K]. QLD 26 Trauma and healing tools for through separation, to help them Aboriginal child and family understand the effects of high Strong Indigenous Educators workers parental conflict on children. Growing Strong Culture and Denise Johnson-Fines, Bundaberg Family Identity in the Early Years. GREAT HALL A+B Relationship Centre. QLD Queensland’s approach to Listening to the silenced voices strengthening Aboriginal and of child and youth victims of 23 When Young People are at risk Torres Strait Islander leadership violence. – what works? and capacity to deliver better June and Kathi will talk about an learning outcomes in the early MEETING ROOM 8 approach to working with young years. victims of violence in Cape York. Denise Cedric, Yarrabah State School and Effective interventions for Kathi Gibson-Steffensen, June Kellermeier, Lynne Moore, Queensland Department of working with young people Cape York / Gulf RAATSICC Advisory Education, Training and Employment. QLD engaged in volatile solvent Association. QLD misuse in regional contexts. Family Day Care in the Culturally Appropriate Trauma- Indigenous Community? Describes findings from a year- Informed Practice : The Yarning long research project focused on Introducing the benefits of Up on Trauma Training Program. working with inhalant users Indigenous Family Day Care This presentation will provide in regional contexts. Educators caring for Indigenous an overview of the Yarning up Johanna Karam and Wendy Sammons, children in their community. on Trauma training, a trauma- Youth Empowered Towards Independence Jean Moran, Joanna Olsen. NSW (YETI). QLD informed, culturally appropriate program that is delivered to ASPIRE — Aboriginal Students 25 Show and tell — engaging workers within Aboriginal and Participating in Real Education. young children and community Torres Strait Islander organisations. Youth Off The Streets school MEETING ROOM 2 Chris Tanti, Frances Loder, Aboriginal programs equip and empower Clinician, Take Two Program, Berry Street. Aboriginal youth and their The Multi Mix Mob — More than VIC communities to embrace the future a Playgroup From Little Things It Takes a Forest to Raise a – standing strong and proud. Big Things Grow Tree: Healing Children from Lou Single, Danielle Montgomery, Youth How an Aboriginal Playgroup the Storms in their Lives. Off The Streets Limited. NSW grew out of a local community and Remote Aboriginal workers will became so much more. Circuit Breaker Camps share stories about their role in Nicole Ryan, Elena Julca, Cecily Williams the development of a talking A diversionary program involving and Oletha Ware, MultiMix Mob; Luke camel trekking and animal Edwards, The Bridge; The Multi Mix Mob tool which invites women into a husbandry as a means of re- Playgroup, Connect Marrickville ‘Schools conversation about the effects of engagement and development for as Community Centres’. NSW violence on children. disengaged young people in Alice Lucy Van Sambeek Relationships Australia Springs. When a garden is a deadly idea. NT, and remote Aboriginal workers from Yirrkala, NE Arnhem Land, Nguiu, Bathurst Nina Levin and staff from Tangentyere An ARMSU research and resource Island. NT Council. NT development project showing how SA Aboriginal child care services share their deadly ideas and adapt them to engage children, staff and families in their centres. Samantha Seymour, Aboriginal Resource and Management Support Unit (ARMSU) and Sharolyn Talbot, ARMSU and Indigenous Professional Support Unit (IPSU) SA Coordinator. SA page 68 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
27 Whole community approach 29 Journey with playgroups in to provide a Defendant’s program to child protection and remote communities. based at Mt Druitt Local Court community risk-mapping | YARNING CIRCLE | over 2012 and has had Legal Aid | WORKSHOP | YS NSW family law services being MEETING ROOM 7 WS provided at the Shed in an early MEETING ROOM 1 Our Journey continues at Kurdu intervention model of service This unique approach to Kurdu Kurlangu Yuendumu Child delivery. Rick is also coordinator abuse prevention education Care Centre and Yuendumu of the Sydney Regional Aboriginal Men’s Network, the chair of the is underpinned by a whole-of- Playgroup. Redfern Aboriginal Corporation community focus. This will be a continuation of the and member of the Greater Sydney A Community Risk-Mapping stories shared at the 2010 SNAICC Family Law Pathways Network. exercise is a visual display and Conference about the Child Care Glenn Thompson, Chair of the qualitative data that can give Centre, Playgroup and Community Greater Sydney Family Law adults the insight into why children at Yuendumu. Pathways Network. Glenn is a participate in risk taking and Judith McKay, Sharon Hughes, Marlette senior Sydney family lawyer who private behaviours. Ross, Sabrina Lewis, Selina Gorey, Amy has written widely on family law Dixon, Jessica Marshall, Mary Butcher, Holly-Ann Martin, Safe4kids (Aust) Pty Ltd. issues. WA Grace Butcher, Minnie Nelson, and Anna- Rita Watson. Kurdu Kurdu Kurlangu Gemma Slack-Smith, Manager of Yuendumu Child Care Centre, Central the Care and Protection Practice 28 The Power of Participation: Desert Shire Council. NT for the Aboriginal Legal Service in Defining participation from NSW and the ACT. Gemma heads the perspective of Aboriginal 30 Sydney Aboriginal Family Law a small team of lawyers in the NSW children and young people Pathways Network (AFLPN): Children’s Courts and Local Courts in care. A collaborative framework for representing Aboriginal parents | WORKSHOP | supporting Aboriginal families and children in care and protection proceedings. MEETING ROOM 5 WS at risk. | WORKSHOP | Judge Joe Harman, Federal The importance of children and with experience WS Court Judge young people in care participating MEETING ROOM 6 in Family law, Child Protection in decisions that affect their lives This newly-formed network aims and Family Dispute Resolution. has been a topic of discussion to bring legal, therapeutic and Judge Harman is also lecturer at in the child protection sector. cultural services to the table to the University of Western Sydney However, CREATE Foundation has strengthen collaborative efforts and on the Federal Circuit Court’s found that young people may view to increase knowledge in the Indigenous Issues Committee. meaningful participation differently Aboriginal community of legal and He has a particular interest and than the child protection system, therapeutic services. personal commitment to providing seeing it as having to do more better services to the Aboriginal It aims to provide a framework with the quality of relationships Community. that can reduce the removal of than mechanisms of involvement Aboriginal children from their Mary Gleeson, Legal Aid in the system. This workshop families and improve individual, NSW,Manager Outreach/ includes the viewing of a DVD family and community wellbeing. Partnerships Family Law Early featuring Aboriginal young people Intervention Unit. discussing what participation Presenters include a magistrate, means to them, followed by lawyers, Legal Aid and Aboriginal an interactive discussion of service providers: participation in the context of Rick Welsh, Coordinator ‘The engaging children and young Shed’ at Emerton in Mt Druitt, people in care. This session will NSW.‘The Shed’ is an Aboriginal be presented by young people, male targeted suicide prevention Jacqui Reed and staff from project. Rick has worked in CREATE Foundation. collaboration with Legal Aid NSW
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 69 CONFERENCE DAY 2 | wednesday 5 June |
Plenary 32 Journeys with the National 33 different Approaches to | 9am to 10.30am | Quality Standard for Early Intensive Family Support Childhood Services GREAT HALL A+B Great Hall hALL C • Performance by children from Aboriginal Family Support Boopa Werem Kindergarten The National Quality Standards workers leading the way: • Keynote Address: Prof. Cindy Indigenous Resource Package. Delivering Intensive Family Kiro — Integrated health A participatory approach to Support Services in the Child and social services: How they developing an Indigenous resource Protection system. contribute to equity and good package that has resulted in This paper will be delivered by outcomes for Indigenous a collection of resources that the Aboriginal Family Support families. conceptualise quality early workers from Save the Children • Keynote Address: Kathy childhood practice. and describe, in their way, their Guthadjaka (Gotha) — The Donna Bradley, formerly Regional and journey as lead workers in a tertiary right to and importance of Remote Aboriginal Children and Services child protection family support education for Yolngu Aboriginal Support Unit Central and Batchelor service. They will yarn about how and Torres Strait Islander kids. Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. the training and development work NT Proudly sponsored by done to date has progressed their A remote Indigenous Early own professional practice. Childhood Educators journey Presented by six Aboriginal Family with the National Quality Support Workers from Save the Standard. Children Australia (SCA), and supported by Wayne England and This interactive presentation will Morning Break Megan Brown SCA; Vince Lagioia, show how a childcare service in | 10.30am to 11.00am | Cheryl Majka and the Intensive a remote community in Central Family Support Service (IFSS) Interactive Poster Presentation Australia is looking at and using Implementation Support Team the National Quality Standard to Parenting Research Centre. NT strengthen their cultural practices Concurrent Sessions 31 to 40 and learn new ideas to work with The Family’s Voice: An empowering | 11.00am to 12.30pm | young children. multi-disciplinary team approach to placement prevention and Irene Floyd, Susie Stafford, Central Desert Shire Council – Laramba Childcare. NT reunification for vulnerable 31 advancing the rights of Aboriginal families. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Growing Strong Indigenous Early An outline of the Stronger Families Islander children: Using the UN Childhood Services in remote Program components, and the Declaration on the Rights of Australia through the National difference the program has made Indigenous Peoples. Quality Standard. as seen through the eyes of the MEETING ROOM 5 This is the story of our journey family. with remote Indigenous children’s Lisa Curtis, Erin Wanganeen, Victorian This interactive session explores Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Reima services towards an understanding the complementary and reinforcing Pryor, Senior Clinician Take Two Program, and implementation of the aspects of two key United Nations Berry Street Victoria. VIC National Quality Standard. human rights instruments to Sonya Johnstone, Kate Oudyn, Regional Co-constructing partnerships advance the rights of Aboriginal and Remote Aboriginal Children’s Service and Torres Strait Islander children – and practice between child Support Unit Central [RRACSSU] Batchelor protection and an Aboriginal the UN Declaration on the Rights of Institute Indigenous tertiary Education. NT Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and managed and controlled primary the UN Convention on the Rights health care organisation. of the Child (CRC). This session This presentation will explore the will explore with participants how development of a partnership both instruments can be used by between child protection and an organisations, government and intensive family support service that individuals to contribute and frame positions an Aboriginal-controlled their work with Indigenous children. organisation at the tertiary end of We will also seek to identify the responding to neglect of children knowledge and resources required in Alice Springs. to support children and young Jill Faulkner, Michelle Lord, Central people to understand and utilise Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) both the CRC and UNDRIP for the and Marnie Dillon, NT Office of Children realisation of their rights. and Families. NT Ben Schokman, Human Rights Law Centre, Vic. Tara Broughan, UNICEF Australia, NSW For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
34 Early Intervention and 35 Services supporting families 36 healing as part of helping Prevention — working with supports community wellbeing MEETING ROOM 3+4 mothers MEETING ROOM 2 hALL D Stronger Families Safer Children Dhunupa Dhawu — Straight — Aboriginal Family Support Bumps to Babes and Beyond. Story. Service Model. A project commencing in the Researching with the Community A model of working with and antenatal period to enhance the in Gapuwiyak to develop a for families to plan to heal the connection between vulnerable greater understanding of family underlying issues that have caused Aboriginal and Torres Strait and community perspectives on their children to be removed or Islander mothers and their babies. education and how the process of unsafe in their care. Beverley Allen, QEC Early Parenting Centre partnership with the school can be Elaine Moosha, Peter Dyer, Aboriginal and Mel Watson, Ada Peterson, Mildura realised and maintained. Family Support Service. SA Aboriginal Cooperative. VIC Shirley Nirrpurranydji, Julie Fraser; Menzies School of Health Research Little Black Duck. Walking with Young People - - Centre for Child Development and The trials, tribulations and healing Nurturing the Core Education. NT of one ‘little black duck’. Sharing and learning using Family Health Team in Cape Darryll Farrell, Nerida Oberg, Anglicare photographs, music and film to Shoalhaven. NSW demonstrate how educating young York. people on pregnancy, birth and The Cape York Hospital and Health 37 Creating Open Space - early parenting through interactive Service, Family Health Team would Professional Development in learning has been embraced by like to present its program, which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cairns and remote communities in is a multi-disciplinary team that Islander Children’s Services. Qld. provides early intervention and | WORKSHOP | Annette Loadsman-Hucks, Gayle Rusher, preventative support services to Heidi Eastcott. Youth and Family Education key partners, children and families MEETING ROOM 7 WS Resources – Core of Life. QLD in Cape York. Louisa Salee and team members. This session will explore the A comprehensive approach Queensland Health, Cape York Hospital use of Open Space Technology to preventing alcohol use in and Health Service. QLD as an appropriate strategy for pregnancy: Strong Spirit Strong professional development in Future. Nanko-Walun Porlar Nomawi Aboriginal and Torres Strait This presentation describes (Wellbeing for Aboriginal Islander Children’s Services. the Strong Spirit Strong Future Children & Families). Christine Dimovich, Jacqui Hunt-Smith project, which provides workforce Presentation of a social and and Cherrelle Clare, Yorganop Indigenous Professional Support Unit (IPSU). WA development to promote no emotional wellbeing framework alcohol use during pregnancy as applied in working with Aboriginal the safest option. families so that change can occur 38 improving numeracy Julie Spratt, Judi Stone, Dionne Aitken. in the Aboriginal community to outcomes for young Australian Drug and Alcohol Office,Western Australia. reduce stigma and break down Indigenous children. WA access barriers. | WORKSHOP | Layla Scott Nanko-walun Porlar Nomawi MEETING ROOM 1 (Child & Adolescent Mental Health WS Service). SA This interactive workshop will present key research findings and hands on practical tasks from the Patterns and Early Algebra Preschool (PEAP) early numeracy project, with a focus on mathematics in prior to school settings. Assoc.Prof. Marina Papic, Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University, NSW; Dr Kate Highfield Macquarie University; Judy McKay-Tempest, Gowrie, NSW; Louise Cave, Birrelee MACS; and Priscilla Carmichael, Gujaga MACS. NSW
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 71 39 SNAICC’s guide to Concurrent Sessions 41 to 50 The story of the how the aspiration Philanthropy and Fundraising and BONUS Wednesday that “Ultimately, all Aboriginal | YARNING CIRCLE | Workshop children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) MEETING ROOM 8 | 1.30pm to 3.00pm | YC will be cared for by Aboriginal This Yarning Circle is an carers, supported by Aboriginal opportunity to discuss how 41 Future Funding for Aboriginal caseworkers employed by local philanthropy and fundraising could and Torres Strait Islander Aboriginal managed agencies” help raise money and support for Integrated Early Childhood was included as a guiding principle your organisation. What are some and Family Support Services: in the NSW transition of OOHC of the things that your organisation Where to Now? from government to the NGO may want to consider before | FORUM | sector and implications for building contacting philanthropic sources capacity in Aboriginal OOHC MEETING ROOM 2 F or planning fundraising events? in NSW and other states and How do you apply for deductible This session will look at the territories. gift recipient (DGR) status (and direction and future support Wendy Hermeston, Aboriginal Child, survive?!) What may be involved needed for early childhood and Family and Community Care State if you are planning to ‘make the family support services currently Secretariat (AbSec). NSW ask’, apply for grants, or hold operating under the Budget Based fundraising events? Funding (BBF) and Aboriginal and 43 Culturally Safe Service Delivery Sue Beecher, Emily Cheesman, Secretariat Torres Strait Islander Child and of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Family Centres (ACFC) programs. GREAT HALL A+B Care (SNAICC) This is a critical issue following Towards Cultural Safety: the review of the BBF program in Exploring a cultural safety model 2012–13 and with ACFC funding 40 druMBEAT - music for for staff and client wellbeing. social learning and connection due to end in 2014. This forum to community will be a participatory session for The presentation will explore | WORKSHOP | WS services and sector peaks to share how Aboriginal agencies can their ideas and experiences, and develop an agency wide model CONFERENCE ROOMS to discuss the funding model, that is therapeutic and culturally 1 to 3 – go up stairs near lifts processes and mechanisms needed embedded. DRUMBEAT is a behavioural to support all Aboriginal and Dr Peter Lewis, Sue Anne Hunter, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA). intervention using music to Torres Strait Islander integrated VIC promote social understanding early childhood and family and build resilience. DRUMBEAT support services meet the needs Our Kids Our Mob. has been incorporated into the of children and families in their Supporting non-Aboriginal families therapeutic practices of youth communities around the country. It in caring for Aboriginal Children mental health services, drug and is coordinated by SNAICC. — developing a culturally safe alcohol rehabilitation clinics and environment for Aboriginal children juvenile detention centres. This 42 aboriginal Care for Aboriginal in non-Aboriginal families. workshop will give interested Children Adam Cryer, Families NSW — Hornsby people a ‘hands on’ look into the hALL C Shire Council. NSW potential of DRUMBEAT and how it might work to assist the young Aboriginal Guardianship for The development of culturally people in their communities. Aboriginal Children. safe service delivery to Simon Faulkner, DRUMBEAT. WA Report about the Victorian pilot Aboriginal and Torres Strait project establishing how Aboriginal Islander young people. Lunch Break children on Protection Orders will To provide insight and reflection | 12.30pm to 1.30pm | have an Aboriginal person as their into improving cultural safety in guardian. youth services that support the Film Screenings Loop HALL D Julie Toohey, Victorian Aboriginal Child emotional and social wellbeing Care Agency (VACCA). VIC needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Power of policy: How our values Wendy Sammons, Marcia Hedanek; Youth and beliefs around caring for our Empowered Towards Independence (YETI). kids can come to life as policy, QLD driving capacity building and cultural change in relation to Aboriginal out-of-home-care.
page 72 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
44 Conversational reading from the perspectives of Aboriginal The Lived Experience of and teaching literacy with kinship carers. Aboriginal people with disability. traditional Indigenous activities Marilyn McHugh, Social Policy Research By any measure Aboriginal people Centre, University of NSW. NSW hALL D with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged Australians The 3A Project: Early childhood 46 Children’s Commissioners: often facing multiple barriers to Education and Care in remote working together to advocate their meaningful participation Indigenous Communities, with for outcomes for Aboriginal within their own communities a focus on Conversational and Torres Strait Islander and the wider community. This Reading. children presentation will discuss the lived | YARNING CIRCLE | experience of Aboriginal people This interactive session will focus with disabilities but also provide on the Conversational Reading MEETING ROOM 1 YC a way forward in promoting and element of the 3A Program protecting the human rights of and give participants a hands- The Northern Territory Aboriginal people with disabilities. on opportunity to use the 3A Commissioner, a Commissioner strategies with coaching from the from the Victorian Commission for Damian Griffis, Executive Officer, First Peoples Disability Network (Australia). project team. Children and Young People and the Prof. Collette Tayler and Louise Cooke National Children’s Commissioner – Melbourne Graduate School of will share some of their current 48 Engaging Men and their Education, The University of Melbourne; and proposed strategies for families through cultural Lynne Beckingham, Gumala Aboriginal working with Aboriginal and Torres activities Corporation. VIC Strait Islander children, families | YARNING CIRCLE | and communities, and some key MEETING ROOM 6 YC 45 kinship Care successes achieved. In particular, issues around child protection, MEETING ROOM 3+4 early childhood development A yarning circle about how and culture will be discussed. A we are working together Winangay Stronger ways discussion will be facilitated around with families to engage their with Aboriginal Children how these bodies can play a critical Indigenous dads, uncles, and Families. role in increasing visibility and grandads and their kids through Winangay Resources Inc. is a understanding of the human rights cultural activities. small group of Aboriginal and non concerns impacting our children This program is part of our Deadly Aboriginal women who are driven and young people, be a platform Dads Project in Partnership with by a collective passion and have for children’s voices and exert the two Schools as Community come together to work pro bono pressure for change in realities on Centres. on the development of strength the ground, and the supports they Craig Hammond Indigenous Programs based culturally appropriate need to do this. Manager, Family Action Centre, University resources designed to ensure Of Newcastle; Gina Ascott-Evans, Thou- Aboriginal kids are raised in 47 The National Disability Walla Schools as Community Centres Aboriginal ways. Irrawang Public School; Jennifer McLaren, Strategy: An Aboriginal Nar-un-bah Schools as Community Centres Paula Hayden, Auntie Susie Blacklock, and Torres Strait Islander Fennell Bay Public School. NSW Gillian Bonser, Karen Menzies. perspective Winangay Resources Inc Stronger Ways with Aboriginal Children and Families. MEETING ROOM 5 49 SNAICC Resource Service NSW | YARNING CIRCLE | The National Disability Strategy: YC Kinship Carers. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait MEETING ROOM 8 Assisting Kinship Carers to become Islander perspective. The workshop will provide an more effective members of family This presentation will enable opportunity for those in the sector and community. discussions on disability issues who provide services for Aboriginal Narelle Griffin, Department of in Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Torres Strait Islander children Communities, Child Safety and Disability communities with a focus on the and families, to participate in a Services. QLD National Disability Strategy and workshop which explores current the Helping Children with Autism sector resource needs, and the use Placement Stability: What does (HCWA) Aboriginal and Torres of current SNAICC resources. it mean for Indigenous kinship Strait Islander Liaison Officers Nick Butera, Joanne Borg, Secretariat of carers and how do carers, Project. National Aboriginal and Islander Child predominantly grandmothers, Craig Flintoft, Director National Disability Care (SNAICC). VIC ensure ‘stability’. Strategy, and Mitchell Cole, Acting Branch The presentation will highlight both Manager, Autism and Early Intervention the positive and negative aspects Branch, Dept. of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous in ensuring stable kinship care Affairs (FaHCSIA). ACT
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 73 50 Bilingual Education | BONUS | BONUS Secretariat NSW (AbSec), Renessa | WORKSHOP | WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP Nelson, Victorian Aboriginal Child Craft from caring for Country Care Agency (VACCA), Karen MEETING ROOM 7 WS with community Salam, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Workshop by Kathy Guthadjaka MEETING ROOM 9 Foyer (Gotha) on Bilingual Education. Protection Peak (QATSICPP). This interactive workshop includes Coordinated by Secretariat of National Kathy Gotha is a Gatjirrk Warramiri a multimedia presentation Aboriginal and Islander Child Care woman living at Gawa on her and will give participants (SNAICC) VIC. ancestral land at the top of Elcho opportunity to experience first Island. She worked as a teacher hand the Community-for-Family for over 40 years at Shepherdson 52 Partnerships and new ways Collaborations and other programs College, located in north-east of working in early childhood run by Reuse and Recycle. Arnhem Land. services Participants will make crafts based In 1985 Kathy and her husband on the Care for Country program GREAT HALL A+B Colin Baker and their families run at MNA Kids Club and also The Torres Strait’s Journey with contributed to re-establishing have a hands-on experience of Montessori. the Gawa community and an the Swap It! Cooking for Family independent school on Elcho program. Celebrating the unique partnership Island. From 1991, Gotha was a Char Paul, Marie Tonks, Brenda Pearson between school, community and teacher working at Sheppardson and Liza Sellton, the MNA Kids Club — philanthropic groups in providing College and applied to be Reuse and Recycle, Cairns Inc. QLD quality early education in the Torres stationed at Gawa to teach local Strait. children. This offer was declined, Afternoon Break Lui (Ned) David, Kay Boulden, Montessori but undeterred Gotha decided to Children’s Foundation; Judy Ketchell, Tagai take six months leave with no pay | 3.00pm to 3.30pm | State College (or nominee) Torres Strait to teach on the homeland as a Islanders’ Regional Education Council Interactive Poster Presentation ‘trial’. The six months turned into (TSIREC). QLD a full year by the end of 1991 there The Art of Sharing Our Story: was the encouragement of Gawa Concurrent Sessions 51 to 60 being registered as an official Using Painting to Describe Our | 3.30pm to 5.00pm | Homeland Learning Centre. Vision and Strategic Insights. After many years of struggle and This presentation will showcase limited support Gotha and Colin’s 51 Cultural Advice in Child IPSU’s new way of working with desire to become a Christian Protection Decision-Making Aboriginal and Torres Strait school was granted in 2004. Gawa | FORUM | Islander Children’s Services across opened under the banner of NT Queensland with a focus on hALL D F Christian Schools. Now 55 students creating real partnerships, fostering from three homelands attend Gawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait leadership and building true capacity. Christian School and the small Islander Participation in Child community of Gawa is thriving. Peter Demopoulos, Katharin Bartley, Protection Decision-Making: Queensland Council of Social Services/ A strong advocate of bilingual Learning from cultural advice education programs, Gotha is Indigenous Professional Support Unit and support services. (QCOSS/IPSU). QLD determined, and is succeeding in providing the best education A forum style session that presents recent SNAICC research on the Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and possible for the children at Gawa. Family Centre - moving from As a consultant of Charles Darwin role of cultural advice and support services in child protection interim to full early learning University, Yolnu Aboriginal services. Consultants Initiative she has also decision-making and includes contributed to several works and discussion with an expert panel of Winanga-Li is one of nine presented to the UN Committee cultural advice and support service integrated Aboriginal Child and on the Rights of Children in 2011. leaders from across Australia. Family Centres being established Facilitated by John Burton in NSW and this presentation SNAICC; Presenters are Sharron will provide an early learning Williams, Aboriginal Family perspective through this Support Services Inc (AFSS); journey. Angela Webb, Aboriginal Child, Allison West, Nikki Dorrington, Uniting Family and Community Care Care Children’s Services. NSW For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
53 out of Home Care — holistic mobile service seeking to transitioning, sibling groups, engage with children and families in stability remote areas of Central Australia. Sue Kingwill, Contact Inc; Patty O’Neill, MEETING ROOM 2 Contact Children’s Mobile Team Alice Transitioning Aboriginal children Springs. NT in care: More than just moving East Pilbara Journey. house. This is the story of how once there The drivers, challenges and was nothing and now there is successes involved in moving out- something and more: The Newman of-home care responsibilities from YMCA Early Childhood Learning government to non-government Centre has become a hub for a agencies. range of family services including Nick Corrigan, Aboriginal Child, Family and Long Day Care, the Indigenous Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec). Playgroup, Intensive Support NSW Mobile Playgroup, the Mobile Siblings growing and thriving Youth Service, a partnership with World Vision Australia to provide in care. learning and training opportunities The successful journey of a large for families in remote communities sibling group in care. and an employment program for Carlton Lang, Ina Quinn, Aboriginal Family Aboriginal playgroup leaders . Support Services. SA Kaye van Nieuwkuyk, Jackie Bickendorf, YMCA Newman, YMCA of Perth. WA Envisaging a new model of stability for Aboriginal children. 55 integrated training and workplace development in This paper presents the findings early childhood services of a review of ‘permanent care’ for Aboriginal children and highlights MEETING ROOM 1 the need for a more holistic approach to ‘stability’. Deakin University Institute Koorie Julie Toohey, Gemma Morgan, Victorian Education — Community-Based Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA). VIC Delivery of the Bachelor Early Childhood Degree. 54 Stories of delivering services This approach to course delivery in remote communities promotes access and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait MEETING ROOM 3+4 Islanders students. Students from all areas; rural, remote and Empowered parents: parent- metropolitan, and across all age child book-reading practices ranges, particularly mature age, are of Indigenous parents coached able to undertake studies without in Conversational Reading compromising their family and techniques at Galiwinku community obligations. community. Assoc. Professor Lisa Thorpe and Rosemarie This presentation will outline a Garner, Institute Koorie Education Deakin Masters of Education case study University. VIC research project, examining Stronger people, Stronger the contextual adaptation of a component of the Abecedarian services: Building the remote Approach, Conversational Indigenous Early Childhood Reading, in the remote Indigenous Workforce in the Northern community of Galiwinku. Territory. Louise Cooke, Professor Collette Tayler This case study will introduce and Dr Jane Page; University of Melbourne participants to a new, integrated and Northern Territory Department of early childhood training model, Education. NT the ‘Learning at Work Approach’ Evolving the Contact Children’s designed for remote Indigenous staff working across a range of Mobile to serve children and community and children’s services. families in the Ti Tree and Utopia Millie Olcay, Batchelor Institute of Homelands regions. Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE); Kate Sharing the story of experiences Race, NT Department of Education and and involving the Aboriginal Children’s Services; Liz Banney, Yuendumu; community in the design Indigenous student/s from Yuendumu. NT development and delivery of this | SNAICC Conference Report | page 75 Expressive Therapies For Healing 58 Womens Business 60 a partnership model to And Child Wellbeing. | YARNING CIRCLE | deliver culturally-appropriate evidence-based services in A paper about the first Indigenous MEETING ROOM 6 YC team of workers to undertake child and family services. training in the Certificate in Walking together to create a | WORKSHOP | Expressive Therapies in Australia. stronger parenting communities MEETING ROOM 5 WS Keran Thomas, Kacey Mitchell, Birdwing in the future. (for women only) Therapies Social Work Practice. QLD Highlights and shares the story A partnership model between of a cross-generational, cross- a mainstream organisation 56 The contribution of community cultural “women’s business” and Aboriginal and Torres resources event in a remote region of NT. Strait Islander community It was designed and undertaken organisations to empower, build MEETING ROOM 8 to improve communication, capacity and deliver culturally- Today’s Money for Tomorrow’s awareness and understanding in appropriate evidence-based Children. a step towards a more connected services in child and family community of future parents and centres and child protection Aboriginal people living in remote children. services. communities in Central Australia Valerie Dhamarrandji, Miwatj Health are using their money from land This workshop is a collaboration Aboriginal Corporation; Djapirri between The Benevolent Society, use agreements, predominantly Munungurritji, two high school students Kalwun, Ganyjuu, Wuchopperen with mining companies and from Nhulunbuy High School, Tracy government, in a positive way for Smith and Deb Pattrick (YFER) Yirrkala and Mulungu about the the longer-term benefit of their Community Centre. NT partnership models that have communities. been formed to establish Early Years Centres, child protection Noel Heenan, Yuelamu Community; 59 Celebrating country in Ian Sweeney, Central Land Council. NT programs and Aboriginal Child and the early years Family Centres in several locations | YARNING CIRCLE | in south east and far north Hidden Valley Children’s Garden YC — Living and Learning Together. MEETING ROOM 7 Queensland. The workshop will The pitfalls and successes of outline the model, learnings and Developing educational programs evaluation findings and provide building a community vision acknowledging Aboriginal and and community cohesion. an opportunity for partners and Torres Strait Islander pedagogies participants to contribute their own Dr Lorraine Gibson, Tangentyere Council. and working from the strengths of NT knowledge and experiences of culture within the early years working in partnership to provide of learning. culturally appropriate services 57 Educaring for whole of Priscilla Reid Loynes and Lisa Norris, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait community change in healing Australian Council for Educational Islander children and families. Research (ACER). VIC generational trauma Partners will deliver an interactive | WORKSHOP | workshop that tells the story, hALL C WS shares the learnings and evaluation findings of a partnership model A workshop with Emeritus between The Benevolent Society Professor Judy Atkinson, Member and four Aboriginal Community Harvard Global Mental Health organisations to deliver culturally Scientific Research Alliance, appropriate and evidence Australian Institute of Health based early childhood and child and Welfare Scientific Advisory protection services. Committee, the Board of Directors Michael Tizard, previously The Benevolent of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Society; Dr. Angela Carr, The Benevolent Islander Healing Foundation and Society; Susan Cary, Manager Browns Patron of the We Al-li Trust. Plains Early Years Centre; Karen Dawson- This workshop will present and Sinclair, CEO of Ganyjuu; Alana Laundy, discuss the application of the Manager North Gold Coast Early Years Educaring model as a tool for Centre; Kieran Chilcott CEO of Kalwun Health Service; Damien Knight, Manager whole of community change Cairns Early Years Centre; Deb Malthouse working towards healing for CEO Wuchopperen Health Service; Gail Indigenous peoples. Wasson, CEO, Mulungu Medical Centre and the Mareeba Child and Family Centre. QLD
page 76 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
CONFERENCE DAY 3 | thursday 6 June |
Plenary Facilitator: Sharron Williams, Concurrent Sessions 61 to | 9am to 10.30am | Chairperson, SNAICC 70 and BONUS Thursday Panel speakers: Workshop Great Hall • Rachel Atkinson, QATSICPP, | 11.00am to 12.30pm | • Performance by Parramatta will introduce the causes of State School Dance Group gross overrepresentation and 61 rights, responsibilities and • NATIONAL CAMPAIGN impacts of removal and the quest to focus on children and strategies — Aboriginal child — Addressing the over- and family services representation of Aboriginal young people’s wellbeing; and Torres Strait Islander • Sharron Williams, Chairperson, MEETING ROOM 5 children and young people in SNAICC will introduce the the child protection system. campaign including broad Talking to Government about | PANEL | strategies as well as specific human rights. Many of our Aboriginal and actions we can all take to The Commonwealth Attorney- Torres Strait Islander children and support the campaign; General’s Department will hold a young people are already being • Simon Schrapel, CEO, Uniting workshop on how non-government grown up safe, loved, connected Communities, will discuss how and community organisations and culturally strong in their own we can better resource our can get involved in human rights families and communities. We communities and agencies reporting to the UN and talking to are all involved because we are in partnership with others to government about human rights. working towards a reality where achieve the campaign’s goal; Penelope Davie, Human Rights Policy all Aboriginal and Torres Strait • Jacqui Reed, CEO, CREATE, Branch, Attorney-General’s Department. Islander children and young will discuss engaging youth and ACT people can grow up this way. A children as integral partners in committed team of Aboriginal and this campaign and as leaders of 62 Child Protection Torres Strait Islander organisations change for a better future – Models of Prevention led by SNAICC, and supported Following these presentations, by a broad base of national and Richard Weston, CEO, Aboriginal hALL D state organisations, are planning and Torres Strait Islander Healing Help them grow up strong a campaign to break the cycle Foundation, will facilitate an open in head and spirit: culturally of persistent and systematic forum discussion regarding the appropriate community removal of Aboriginal and Torres campaign. Facilitator, Sharron education around child trauma Strait Islander children and young Williams will conclude with a people. summary of this discussion and the from abuse and neglect — the This session will share shared commitments, networks, lessons from a mobile outreach opportunities to be part of a resources and partnerships crucial service. national movement built on to the success of this campaign. Mobile Outreach Service Plus child rights, culture and self- Aboriginal Therapeutic Resource determination and encourage all Morning Break Officers deliver culturally Australians to step up and support appropriate community education our families and communities to | 10.30am to 11.00am | sessions which are designed to regain our rightful place as the increase community awareness best caregivers for our children about the prevention and and young people. Panel speakers impact of, and response to, child will introduce the purpose of the trauma from abuse and neglect national campaign, its origins, aims in Northern Territory remote and proposed strategies. It will communities. This presentation map out the process and propose will outline our innovative model: ways for everyone to join us in what we do, how we do it and the building a powerful movement that positive outcomes of the sessions can, and with widespread support, so far. will succeed. Dennis Dunn, Kerrie Taylor, Mobile Outreach Service Plus, NT Department of Education and Children’s Services. NT
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 77 Assisting families and agencies Community projects and This presentation will discuss the in decision-making to determine programs that celebrate and experiences of SNAICC and Family the future of children at risk reclaim culture. Relationship Services Australia in working with the Family VACCA has two key community delivering cultural competence Responsibilities Commission. development workers that develop training for family and relationship services and lessons learned The Family Responsibilities community projects and programs Steve Hackett, SNAICC cultural Commissioners work with that engage with and involve competence training consultant. Family Aboriginal families including families and agencies to prevent Relationship Services Australia. the removal of children from children and youth. The essence community while ensuring the of their work is a strong cultural How does ‘two way’ practice safety and welfare needs of foundation where families, youth work? Perspectives of children are met. and children have a voice, as they practitioners working with David Glagow, Commissioner; Garry Port, engage in, celebrate and learn Aboriginal children and families Family Responsibilities Commission. QLD about their culture and heal from in the Northern Territory. grief, loss and trauma. Communities Keeping Kids Safe. Megan Cadd-Van Den Berg, Sarah Key findings from a ‘case study’ The Linked Up Grants program is Diplock, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care research project exploring the a partnership between SNAICC, Agency (VACCA). VIC successful elements of bicultural NAPCAN and the NT Office of practice in the NT children and History of Aboriginal Early Children and Families to fund and families sector. support innovative community-led Childhood in Victoria told by Professor Fiona Arney, Australian Centre for Child Protection and Josie Crawshaw, child abuse prevention initiatives. VAEAI Michael Duffy, SAF,T* Darwin. NT The partnership is based on the Presentation on the history of early belief that the solutions to keeping childhood in Victoria and insight children and young people safe into the struggles to get programs 65 Stories from Healing Programs and services in place. from abuse and neglect lie within MEETING ROOM 6 the communities themselves. Aunty Rose Bamblett, Aunty Vera Briggs, Participants will learn how the Geraldine Atkinson, Victorian Aboriginal Healing our Children, ensuring partnership was formed but Education Association Inc. (VAEAI). VIC our future. more importantly how basketball A presentation on the Cultural competitions, community gardens 64 Cultural Competence Healing program we deliver and camps become initiatives to which is preventing suicides and prevent child abuse. hALL C addressing social and emotional Lesley Taylor, National Association for the ‘You’re in New Country’: wellbeing issues, whilst rebuilding Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). NT Researching Cultural the Warrior within to rebuild our Competence for Remote children and families. Indigenous Workforce David Cole, Timmy BurBur, Balunu 63 reclaiming Aboriginal culture Development. Foundation. NT for young children This workshop will explore research Healing Circles and Spheres: a HALL A+B strategies used with participants therapeutic model for working to investigate intercultural Authentic Inclusion of Aboriginal with traumatised children from competence and strengthen the remote communities. Culture in Children’s Centres. remote Indigenous early childhood Inspired by their local Indigenous workforce. An interactive model that explores culture, the authors engaged Rebekah Farmer, Dr Lyn Fasoli, Alison engagement and healing within the in a collaborative process Wunungmurra, Millie Olcay, Batchelor remote Aboriginal cultural context. with respected community Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education Dr Michelle Moss, Anthony Durwun Lee, Elders, educators, children and (BIITE); Sue Ware, formerly West Arnhem NT Shire Council; Caroline Minaliwu, West their families to connect with The ‘Seasons for Healing’ project country. Arnhem Shire Council. NT — supporting communities Les Bursill OAM, Mary Jacobs, Catherine Working and Walking Together: dealing with grief and loss. Lee, Peter Morgan – NZ Maori, Musician Stories from the journey towards and Teacher Dharawal Publishing and The Kerry Stirling, Melinda Phillips, Good Grief Point Preschool. NSW cultural competence in family NSW and Sharron Williams, Aboriginal and relationship services. Family Support Services. SA
*The purpose of SAF,T (pronounced “safety”) is to ensure all Aboriginal children and young people across the NT have the opportunity to grow up safe, strong and proud in functional families, connected to their past, hopeful for their future and able to reach their full potential.
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66 Early Childhood Services 67 Cultural safety and social 70 how to engage in the National and Families Partnerships - change Campaign — Step up to transition to school | WORKSHOP | support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow WS MEETING ROOM 2 MEETING ROOM 1 up safe and loved in their Congress Preschool Readiness Social change through inclusive family and community Program: Good health, good practices enacting Sorry. | WORKSHOP | education, good life for our kids. Interactive workshop recognising MEETING ROOM 8 WS barriers for Aboriginal families This will be an overview of the This will be a participatory session accessing mainstream preschools successful implementation of an that provides space for you to and how to change this. innovative and holistic program input to the national campaign working through a primary health Jan Wright, Deb Mann, Ngroo Education to work towards a reality where Incorporated. NSW organisation to engage children all Aboriginal and Torres Strait with preschool. Islander children and young Patrick Cooper, Judith Ansell, Aboriginal 68 healing Intergenerational people grow up safe and loved in Family Support Worker, Central Australian Trauma family and community. What is the Aboriginal Congress Central Australian | WORKSHOP | Aboriginal Congress. NT national campaign and how can you be involved? What can you do MEETING ROOM 3+4 Empowering Families in in your community, in your region, Education: Development and implementation in your state? This session will provide an insight of community-driven projects that We will discuss the national into the practical resources and promote healing and prevention of campaign’s aims to better resource delivery methods of the Parents intergenerational trauma. communities to support families and Learning Program (PaL) that Lisa Hillan will present with one of the and their children, to mobilise helps parents help their kids get funded services. Aboriginal and Torres public support for change and to Strait Islander Healing Foundation. ACT ready for school and is currently negotiate genuine and respectful being delivered to families at home partnerships with mainstream in Indigenous communities across 69 Where to next for shared organisations. Come and have a Australia. learning and advocacy for the yarn about how we can take action Christine Hanrahan, Relena Ara, Napranum Aboriginal and Torres Strait together to break the cycle of Parents and Learning Group. QLD Islander Children and Family removal and see our children and Centres? young people loved, nurtured and Guwaala-y and Kunghah School | WORKSHOP | cared for by our own. Readiness Programs. MEETING ROOM 7 WS An overview of how Northcott | BONUS | has worked with families, A workshop for Aboriginal and THURSDAY WORKSHOP preschools, schools and their local Torres Strait Islander Children Craft from caring for Country communities to support children and Family Centres to discuss the with community BONUS with a developmental delay and/or Centre’s Leaders Forum held pre- MEETING ROOM 9 Foyer disability to transition to school. Conference, their experience of Terri Mears, Mariann Smith, Northcott the SNAICC Conference and where This interactive workshop includes Disability Services. NSW it takes them in terms of their a multimedia presentation ongoing communications, learning, and will give participants sharing and advocating together opportunity to experience first to ensure strong and sustainable hand the Community-for-Family centres long into the future. Collaborations and other programs This workshop is open to run by Reuse and Recycle. everyone, however it is primarily Participants will make crafts based a participatory discussion for the on the Care for Country program child and family centres. run at MNA Kids Club and also have a hands-on experience of the Swap It! Cooking for Family program. Char Paul, Marie Tonks, Brenda Pearson and Liza Sellton, the MNA Kids Club - Reuse and Recycle, Cairns Inc. QLD
Lunch Break | 12.30pm to 1.30pm | Film Screenings Loop HALL D
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 79 Closing Plenary moving forward the keynote | 1.30pm to 3.00pm | address emphasises the importance of cross-sector Great Hall collaborations, international law, human rights, • Performance by Biddigil constitutional and cultural Performing Arts Group recognition. Most importantly • Keynote Address: Prof. Judy the presentation calls for a Atkinson - Working together move away from a deficit to heal Generational trauma discourse filled with deficit within language to the promotion Aboriginal children and their of Indigenous excellence families and prosperity for future Proudly sponsored by generations of Indigenous children. April Long, Law Graduate, National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy at The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence NSW and Krista McMeeken, Law Graduate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth • Keynote Address: Self- Lawyers WA. Determination and • Conference summary Collaboration and closing remarks — Two Indigenous young women SNAICC Expert Advisory from NSW and WA share their Group Chairperson, Desley experiences of promoting Thompson. self-determination and the full realisation of Indigenous Break rights in Australia at both a | 3.00pm to 5pm | grassroots and international level. In advancing the rights of Indigenous children and Art Market in the Foyer
page 80 | SNAICC National Conference 2013 | For Our Children: Living and Learning Together
POSTERS | mezzanine foyer |
Poster presentations will be on display throughout the conference on the Mezzanine Level upstairs. Presenters will be available for questions and discussion during the morning and afternoon tea break on Wednesday 5 June.
1. Waltja’s work with families in 9. Wominjeka — Don’t be Shame 16. Keeping Life Stories — a dynamic central desert communities, We’re Game DVD. Sarah Diplock, Case Management System — by in particular the Young Mums Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. VIC practitioners for practitioners. program and Mobile Playgroups. Raylene Popovich, Wendi Keenan, Teresa Butler-Bowdon, Christine Armstrong, 10. Building workforce capacity — Barnardos Australia. NSW Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal one approach that focuses on Corporation. NT current workforce challenges and 17. Building a statistical picture of provides strategies. Louise Jonas Aboriginal children and young 2. Waabiny Mia is the Play House! and Megan Cadd-Van Den Berg, Victorian people — health, wellbeing, for Aboriginal children and Aboriginal Child Care Agency. VIC education and community, families. Jodie Clarke, City of Armadale. cultural and economic WA 11. Reconciliation Action — Walking participation. Erica Potts, Julie and Talking — supporting Nankervis, National Centre for Aboriginal 3. The Honey Ant Readers in 6 children and young people. and Torres Strait Islander Statistics, Michelle Bates, Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Australian Bureau of Statistics. ACT Aboriginal languages. Margaret Ltd. NSW and NT James, Honey Ant Readers and Yipirinya Elders (Translators) Yipirinya School. NT 12. ThinkUKnow: Australian Federal 18. Embedding Aboriginal and 4. reaching out to Aboriginal Police Crime Prevention Torres Strait Islander perspectives mums, bubs, families and initiatives. The issues facing into Kindergarten living, learning community members in the Blue Australian children and youth and environments. Sandra Bulger, Lorraine Maund, Victor Maund, Creche and online. Robyn Burnett and Alexandra Mountains. Uncle Graeme Cooper, Blue Kindergarten Association of Queensland McHugh, Malunggang Indigenous Officers Mountains Aboriginal Health Coalition Ltd. and Mourilyan Kindergarten. QLD Member and local Elder; Dianne Ussher, Network Australian Federal Police. QLD Blue Mountains Aboriginal Artist; Rebekka and NSW Kovacs and Chris Haslam, Blue Mountains 19. Halls Creek Intensive Playgroup Aboriginal Healthy for Life Program. The 13. Safe Home Safe Kids — a Home — Not Early Intervention but Blue Mountains Aboriginal Healthy for Life Safety Kit for parents of young an authentic Early Childhood Program is a program of the Nepean-Blue Educational discipline in its own Mountains Medicare Local, and the Blue Aboriginal children. Presented by Mountains Aboriginal Health Consortium. Samantha Green and dedicated to the right! Sarah Callinan, Lola Reddy, Kim NSW memory of Debbie Dwyer who tragically Ramalli, Will PA Jones, Deborah Davis, passed away in a car accident in March. Dhagun Gur Unit, Creche & Kindergarten This was Debbie’s project, which we Association Qld Ltd. QLD 5. The National Indigenous proudly present, along with a 2nd poster Professional Support Unit — our that reflects her tireless work with child 20. Parents and Family, Children’s safety. Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service. journey working together to First and Life Long Teachers: NSW deliver quality care, strong in Aboriginal Leadership in Moreton culture and focussed on the well- Bay Region. Lola Reddy, Sarah Callinan, being of children, families and 14. Working collaboratively to Dhagun Gur Unit Creche & Kindergarten communities. Kate Oudyn, Regional intervene in remote Indigenous Association Qld Ltd. QLD and Remote Aboriginal Children’s Services communities — in this case to Support Unit. Queensland Council of Social reduce high incidence of hearing 21. Unique Solutions in the age Services/Indigenous Professional Support loss amongst young Indigenous Unit. QLD of National Assessment — children caused by otitis media. Empowering unique local A/Prof. Lyn Fasoli, Alison Wunungmurra — solutions to National Standards. 6. Walking together, yarning Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary together, creating together - Education; Dr Damien Howard — Phoenix Stories of faith, trust, courage possibilities and new directions Consulting, Darwin. NT and endurance to celebrate and in leadership. Christine Foreshew, one question to share from three Yenu Allowah Aboriginal Child and Family 15. A Strong Voice in Early Regions. Sarah Callinan, Dhagun Gur Centre. NSW Unit, Creche & Kindergarten Association Childhood — development of Qld Ltd. QLD local leadership — the Yuendumu 7. Protecting Kids Our Way – from Early Childhood Reference grassroot learnings. Emma Schuh, Group. Presented by the strong Warlpiri Cape York / Gulf RAATSICC Advisory women involved – childcare workers, Association. QLD teachers, education assistants, mums and community members. Yuendumu Early 8. Consultation, collaboration and Childhood Reference Group, Warlpiri innovation: Strong Spirit Strong Education and Training Trust and World Future - Healthy Women and Vision Australia. NT Pregnancies Project. Julie Spratt, Michelle Gray, Dionne Aitken. Drug and Alcohol Office. WA
| SNAICC Conference Report | page 81 Exhibitors Exhibitors will be located in the Convention Centre foyers. Numbers refer to booths and tables.
BOOTH ORGANISATION DESCRIPTION WEBSITE /TABLE
1+2 Educational Experience A trusted advisor of the education and care industry. www.edex.com.au 3 Global Kids Oz Indigenous and multicultural resources. www.globalkidsoz.com.au 4 NAPCAN Preventing Child Abuse. www.napcan.org.au
5 Berry Street A not-for-profit, non-government and non-church www.berrystreet.com.au based organisation that has been supporting Victorian children and families since 1877. 6 ChangeCourse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ www.oxfam.org.au/explore/ Program, Oxfam Australia. indigenous-australia/changecourse 7+8 SNAICC – A national non-government peak body in www.snaicc.org.au Secretariat of National Aboriginal Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Islander Child Care and Torres Strait Islander children and families. 9+10 Modern Teaching Aids Supplier of early childhood, primary and secondary www.teaching.com.au school resources, teacher resources, school supplies, childcare supplies and classroom resources in Australia. 11 CCSA – your partners A not-for-profit, non-government, membership www.ccsa.org.au in management -based organisation that supports the management of high-quality early childhood services and other community organisations. 12 C & K Central Creche and Kindergarten Association. www.candk.adn.au 13 Wuchopperen Health Service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific services www.wuchopperen.org.au for heath, wellbeing and child protection. 14 Life Without Barriers A secular, not-for-profit organisation providing care www.lwb.org.au and support services across Australia in urban, rural and remote locations and in New Zealand. 15 education National Early childhood and educational resources. www.educationnational.com.au 16 Family Relations Services The national peak body for family relationship www.frsa.org.au Australia (FRSA) and support services. 17 Australian Institute of Delivering quality research on family wellbeing. www.aifs.gov.au Family Studies (AIFS) 18 The Lowitja Institute Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal www.lowitja.org.au and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. 19 eCTARC – Early Childhood A leading registered training organisation that www.ectarc.com.au Training and Resource Centre specialises in early childhood training and professional development. 20 ABRS – Australian Bernardo’s Not-for-profit recruitment services specialising in the www.socialworks.org.au Recruitment Services social network sector. 21 RAATSICC – Cape York/Gulf Peak advisory body and service provider on Aboriginal www.raatsicc.org.au Advisory Association and Torres Strait Islander children and family matters for North Queensland communities. 22 Benevolent Society Australia’s first charity since 1813, the Benevolent www.benevolent.org.au Society help people change their lives through support and education. This year they are celebrating 200 years! 23 Raising Children Network Australian parenting website. www.raisingchildren.net.au 24 Reconciliation Queensland Inc. Promoting Reconciliation in Queensland. www.rqi.org.au/ 25 Deadly Ears, Queensland Health Deadly Ears is Queensland Health’s Statewide www.health.qld.gov.au/deadly_ears/ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear Health Program for children. 26 holyoake DRUMBEAT Program Discovering Relationships Using Music - Beliefs, www.holyoake.org.au Emotions, Attitudes & Thoughts. 27 PLACE Software A child care service management tool, created by www.placesoftware.com.au educators for educators.
28 HubWorks! CCMS Software. www.hubworks.com.au 29 The Book Garden Books with cross cultural and sustainability themes and www.thebookgarden.com.au National Quality framework. 30 CREATE Foundation The peak body representing the voices of all children www.create.org.au and young people in out-of-home care. 31 honey Ant Readers Literacy and Indigenous education resource. www.honeyant.com.au Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care
SNAICC RESOURCES ARE HERE TO HELP
Do you need resources to assist with your work?
Did you know SNAICC members get many free resources?
New resources include: • An online carers resource • Learning Games for children • Cultural needs booklet • Healing in Practice • Raising our Little Ones Learn more about these and check out all our resources at www.snaicc.org.au/resources | www.snaicc.org.au |
This publication is recyclable and is printed using vegetable based inks with paper from PEFC accredited manufacturers.