Everyone Together
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Everyone Together Aboriginal Affairs Strategy 2019–2029 Acknowledgement The Northern Territory Government respectfully acknowledges the First Nations people of this country and recognises their continuing connection to their lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to their leaders past, present and emerging. While this strategy uses the term ‘Aboriginal’, we respectfully acknowledge that Torres Strait Islander peoples are First Nations people living in the Territory. Therefore, strategies, services and outcomes relating to ‘Aboriginal’ Territorians should be read to include both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Territorians. 2 Everyone Together 2019–2029 • Northern Territory Government Aboriginal Affairs Strategy Artwork acknowledgement The painting that forms the basis for the design of this strategy was created by Elaina Tilmouth, an Aboriginal student in Grade 4 in the Northern Territory. The painting depicts the sun rising over the ocean and reflects the start of a new journey. We gratefully acknowledge Elaina for allowing us to use her artwork in this strategy. Everyone Together 2019–2029 • Northern Territory Government Aboriginal Affairs Strategy 3 Vision The Everyone Together Aboriginal Affairs Strategy ‘The Territory needs a genuine reckoning of its provides a way for the Northern Territory Government history. And then a coming together.’ (NT Government) to reshape how it works with Aboriginal Territorians to support community aspirations and achieve We must acknowledge the past and the need to heal better outcomes. The way we do business with Aboriginal and move forward with genuine commitment to working Territorians needs to improve and change. Rather than together with honesty and respect. Walking beside each replacing existing strategies and initiatives, Everyone other in a partnership approach, based on respectful and Together provides the overarching whole-of-government productive relationships, is key to achieving improved framework that unifies the work. outcomes and closing the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage. ‘...I’m saying to the departments, this is non- ‘The Territory, the nation, needs a new negotiable. The old way is finished. At the direction – new relationships recognising pace communities are comfortable with, the Aboriginal culture, languages and lore as government is ceding decision-making power fundamental to our identity, our strength, our back to where it belongs: the communities.’ past, our future.’ Improving the lives of Aboriginal Territorians is everyone’s The Chief Minister, Barunga Statement, June 2018. business. A successful community for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Territorians starts with truth-telling and Everyone Together allows us to keep track of the challenges, working in unity. We can work together to build genuine progress and improvements across 10 focus areas. partnerships, improve government coordination and service delivery, and ensure Aboriginal Territorians take a lead role in decision making about matters that involve them, their families and their communities. 4 Everyone Together 2019–2029 • Northern Territory Government Aboriginal Affairs Strategy Services Healing nguage La s Regon Lo eon coordination ng C u ry lt t E u un n re Co g t e a c c ge e n m p a P s n a en Re r r t e tn v e o r g sh & ip p s shi Leader Everyone Together is focussed on Aboriginal families, Territorians, and it acknowledges how these elements are children and communities. integral to individual and community capacity to engage in society. It reflects the importance of ensuring that people and place are at the centre of government policy design and service The strategy’s three guiding principles of Healing, Respect delivery and that people are empowered to determine their and Engagement illustrate the need for the own futures. NT Government to improve the way we engage, do business, partner and work with Aboriginal Territorians. The strategy recognises the critical importance of language, culture and connection to country to Aboriginal Everyone Together 2019–2029 • Northern Territory Government Aboriginal Affairs Strategy 5 Working together The three guiding principles reflect what the Aboriginal community has told governments about how we can improve the way we work together. The principles represent how the NT Government will change the way we engage, interact, work and partner with Aboriginal people, communities and the Aboriginal community-controlled sector. Healing Engagement Acknowledge and understand the history, contribution, Improved engagement and responsiveness with continuing strength, innovation and the resilience of communities that is genuine, open, honest and respectful. Aboriginal people. • Utilise the Remote Engagement Coordination Strategy. • Increase the broader community’s awareness • Quality communication and coordination occurs within and understanding of Aboriginal history, culture and from all levels of government. and languages. • Processes are agreed and followed through, and any • Recognise and commemorate past injustices and changes are communicated. their ongoing impacts. • Communication with stakeholders is effective • Acknowledge and value Aboriginal leadership, culture and ongoing. and governance in policy and service delivery that affects Aboriginal people. • Collaboration with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector is meaningful. • Celebrate Aboriginal communities, their people, strengths and achievements. • Decision making is sustainable and supports community visions. Respect • Ongoing evaluation is used to inform and improve policy, practice and outcomes. Place Aboriginal culture, beliefs and governance at the • Ensure that Aboriginal interpreters are used. centre of how government engages with and designs policies, services and programs. • That new ways of engagement are established, maintained and based on trust. • Rightfully acknowledge Aboriginal people as prior owners and occupiers of the land, seas and waters of • Close the feedback loop by relaying information back the Northern Territory. to communities. • Recognise that the work of Aboriginal Territorians has been a major contributor to the economic development of the Northern Territory, often through unpaid labour. Et rnhe To En • Respect traditional authority and governance systems by working with and being guided by local Aboriginal elders and leaders. g ver • Walk alongside Aboriginal people in policy development and implementation through respectful partnerships. • Methods of engagement are place-based to suit local needs, languages, timeframes and cultural protocols. ry entr tr The Northern Territory's five regions. 6 Everyone Together 2019–2029 • Northern Territory Government Aboriginal Affairs Strategy Strengthening the way we work The NT Government is improving the way we work with Aboriginal Territorians. We know previous methods have not worked, and we are correcting how we can work together to achieve equity. By using new and existing mechanisms and aligning them with the strategy’s guiding principles, we can improve outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. High-level influence Building leadership & strengthening The Aboriginal Affairs Sub-Committee of Cabinet governance guides and influences the NT Government’s Aboriginal The NT Government recognises that building and Affairs agenda. The Sub-Committee is chaired by the supporting strong leadership, governance and capacity Chief Minister and comprises Aboriginal members of is important in enabling Aboriginal people to drive local parliament and independent advisors who are community solutions and lead the way in decision making. On-the- representatives from across the regions. ground projects programs and mentoring will enable The Sub-Committee is the first of its kind in Australia to emerging leaders and communities to build, strengthen provide a voice for Aboriginal people at the highest levels and influence change. of government. It is a unique way to guide the Aboriginal Affairs agenda through the voice and lived experience of Building a culturally responsive its members. Aboriginal advisors represent the views of public sector Aboriginal people living in communities, towns and regions across the Northern Territory. The NT Government will build a culturally responsive Northern Territory Public Sector through the development Local Decision Making and implementation of a cultural responsiveness framework. This will ensure government policy making and service The NT Government will partner with Aboriginal delivery is culturally appropriate for Aboriginal people organisations to transition services and programs to and their communities and for individuals working community control, based on the community’s within the public sector. aspirations. We will partner with Aboriginal communities The NT Government will ensure qualified Aboriginal and organisations to determine the shape and control of interpreters are involved in policy engagement, government services, including local healthcare, schools, implementation and service delivery. justice systems, local governments, services for children and young people, and housing. The NT Government recognises that building, supporting and investing in strong A regional approach Aboriginal governance is necessary to ensure local people The NT Government accepts that decisions are best made drive local solutions. closer to the communities affected and will lead a regional approach that places Aboriginal people and communities