Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have connections to culture, community and Country that nurture and support their wellbeing, spirituality and sense of identity. It is important to the wellbeing of children and their families that these connections are maintained and strengthened.
Nurturing pride and cultural identity
The identity, culture and language of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids come from their relationships with family, community and land. When kids are strong in their culture, they tend to have higher self-esteem, more confidence and greater expectations of what they can achieve. Help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids develop a positive view of themselves. As a carer it’s important that you:
- support the child or young person’s access to family and community
- promote their understanding of their culture, and
- maintain their connection to their community.
Some children and young people may struggle to acknowledge their Aboriginality either because of their own cultural confusion or because they may not have been encouraged to do so. Kids can’t be forced to acknowledge their culture, but your attitude and interest in their cultural identity can help reduce confusion and encourage a sense of belonging and pride.
Cultural Plans
Cultural Plans outline how a child's identity, language, spirituality, religion, and connection to family, community, Country and culture will be maintained and supported by carers, caseworkers and others. Cultural Plans are part of case planning and should be developed in partnership with significant people in the child's life and community.
Understanding cultural rights
Family is the foundation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and supporting your child or young person’s connections to culture also means maintaining meaningful relationships with people in their family and wider community. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the idea of ‘family’ extends to all those involved in a child’s life including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and members of the community.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child specifically deals with the need for children from indigenous backgrounds to maintain contact with their community. It states that ‘… a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.’
Talk about role models
One way you can help develop a positive cultural identity is to talk about role models who may have overcome experiences of racism or bullying to achieve great heights. Think of actors and musicians like Jessica Mauboy, Deborah Mailman, Archie Roach, Miranda Tapsell and Troy Cassar-Daley; sports people like Adam Goodes, Cathy Freeman, Greg Inglis and Johnathon Thurston; and politicians and advocates like Chris Sarra, Linda Burney and Jack Manning Bancroft.
Also look for the unsung heroes within the child or young person’s own community: the local elders and leaders who can support kids tto overcome racist or other trauma-related experiences and grow strong in their identity.
Tackling racism
You may need to help the child or young person in your care deal with racism at school, among friends, in the community or even in your own neighbourhood. Examples of racist behaviour include ridicule, abuse, property damage, harassment, propaganda, vilification, physical assault, exploitation and social exclusion.
In Australia, it is against the law for anyone to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or religious background, or because someone has a relative or friend who is of a particular race.
Make sure kids in your care understand that no-one is allowed to treat them differently because of their race or culture. Speak out against racism whenever you see it. Encourage your child’s pride in their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture and teach them calm and productive ways to handle or respond to racism, bullying and discrimination.
Resources for carers
- The Raising Children Network has lots of videos and information specifically for Aboriginal carers and parents. The videos show Aboriginal kids, parents and carers, and cover everything from toddler tantrums to supporting teenagers.
- The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care has produced a number of resources that provide practical advice for Indigenous and non-Indigenous carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. They include Supporting carers to care for our children, a website focused on the day-to-day caring role. It provides easy access to relevant information, activities and links to culturally appropriate resources.
- Office of the Children's e-Safety Commissioner has general and tailored resources about online safety for Aboriginal kids. Go to the website and search for ‘Be Deadly Online’.
- Family and Community Services with feedback from Aboriginal carers has produced a booklet and DVD called Raising them strong with lots of tips and ideas for Aboriginal carers on the day-to-day care of Aboriginal kids.