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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placement principles

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child placement principles aim to ensure that intervention into family life does not disconnect children from their family and culture. The principles aim to support:

  • recognition and protection of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, family members and communities in child welfare matters
  • self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in child welfare matters; and
  • reduction in the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system.

In practice, it means that the order of preference for placement options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people is as follows:

  • family and kin networks
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander non-related carers in the child's community
  • carers in another Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
  • non-Indigenous carers, provided they are able to maintain the child's connections to their family, community and cultural identity.

There is strong support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be supported by (or transitioned with their carer to) an accredited Aboriginal community-controlled organisations delivering out-of-home care where possible.

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events and festivals

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids need to be able to connect and socialise with other members of their cultural group, including family. Particular effort should be made to connect Aboriginal children and young people with the cultural observances of the communities and their nation.

Getting along to and being part of cultural events is one way for kids to gain an understanding about:

  • the value and sense of belonging to an Aboriginal community
  • the practices and ceremonies that maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
  • how diverse groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders see themselves
  • how to pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and heritage
  • how to gain the respect and understanding of others and the broader community through sharing pride for culture.

Major ATSI cultural events

Yabun Festival
Yabun Festival is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture featuring a vibrant line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers and a range of arts, community and cultural activities. The event is free and family-friendly.
yabun.org.au


Apology Anniversary
On 13 February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a speech in parliament to apologise to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for policies that had ‘inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these, our fellow Australians'. The anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's First Peoples is celebrated by many local events and activities that celebrate the Stolen Generations taking place in schools, organisations and communities across Australia.
www.reconciliation.org.au


National Harmony Day
First held on 21 March 1999 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day asks us to recognise the benefits of our diverse society. It promotes tolerance, goodwill and understanding between all groups and encourages a sense of citizenship and pride. The orange ribbon, which is now a symbol of harmony, was originally a symbol of anti-racism.
harmony.gov.au


National Sorry Day
First held on 26 May 1998, one year after the Bringing them Home report, which resulted from an inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. One of the report’s recommendations was that a National Sorry Day be declared to acknowledge the impact of the policies of forcible removal of children on Australia’s Indigenous populations.
www.reconciliation.org.au


Week (NRW)
It begins on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90% of Australians voted to remove clauses from the Constitution discriminating against Indigenous Australians. And it ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the High Court’s judgment in the 1992 Mabo case.


National Reconciliation
First started in 1996, NRW is a time to reflect on nationwide reconciliation achievements and focus on what still needs to be done to achieve reconciliation in Australia. NRW coincides with two significant dates in Australia’s history that provide strong symbols of hope for reconciliation.


Mabo Day
Anniversary of the 1992 High Court decision in the case brought by Eddie Mabo and others that recognised the Native Title rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original inhabitants of the continent.
www.reconciliation.org.au


Laura Aboriginal Dance & Cultural Festival
Bi-annual celebration of Indigenous arts, country and people held in Laura on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Fosters a sense of community spirit, wellbeing and pride.
lauradancefestival.com


Coming of the Light Festival
Marks the day the London Missionary Society first arrived in Torres Strait introducing Christianity to the region. Significant day for Torres Strait Islander communities. Religious and cultural ceremonies are held throughout Torres Strait and mainland Australia.
www.tsra.gov.au


NAIDOC Week
Celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, which was responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. Note that some communities hold NAIDOC events at other times of the year.
naidoc.org.au


National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD)
Established in 1988, Children’s Day is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
aboriginalchildrensday.com.au


International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Established in 1994 when the United Nations declared 1994–2004 the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
www.un.org


Torres Strait Cultural Festival & Music Festival
The cultural festival occurs once every two years on Thursday Island; the music festival is held on the alternate year.
www.tsra.gov.au

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Support for non-Aboriginal carers

Cultural connections are fundamental to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids and it’s important for non-Aboriginal carers to promote and support a child or young person’s positive connections with family, community, culture and identity.

Having a good understanding yourself of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and beliefs, and access to tools and resources will help. Talk to your caseworker or agency and local Aboriginal organisations about ways to make and maintain connections.

From time to time, ask your child questions about their language, stories and cultural practices. If they don’t always know the answers, help them connect with people who can teach them more.

Some ways to support your child’s connections to culture

  • Support the child or young person to maintain contact with their family, community and culture.
  • Explore opportunities for them to visit and spend time in their land.
  • Talk positively and regularly about your their family and community.
  • Gather as much information as possible about their community.
  • Identify significant people in their life who can assist in maintaining links.
  • Network with Aboriginal carers, workers and services in your local area.
  • Attend local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural community events visit and spend time in their land.
  • Acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of Australia.
  • Display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and understand what they represent.
  • Seek out story books and child-friendly movies that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
  • Encourage your child or young person to use traditional design and try some art and craft projects related to values and beliefs.
  • Go on bushwalks and talk about bush, land and sea.
  • Play and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music.
  • Start or continue a My Life Story book.

Cultural Case Plans

Ask your caseworker about your child or young person’s Cultural Case Plan and work together to meet the goals outlined there.

Resources for carers

  • 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. Key among these is 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.
  • The e-Safety Commission has produced ‘Be Deadly Online’, promoting online safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids.
  • Family and Community Services has worked with Aboriginal carers to produce Raising them strong, with lots of tips and ideas for the day-to-day care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Raising them strong is also available as a booklet and a DVD talk your caseworker if you would like to access these resources.
  • 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.