Voice and agency: The promise of process for Indigenous Agency Dr Annie Kennedy Tjuwanpa Outstation Resource Centre

The research context  What are the conditions that underpin Indigenous engagement?  An ethnographic study based on Western Arrernte outstation accounts of key NTER reforms – town leases, income management and welfare to work  Undertaken from early 2007 to mid 2009

Engagement’s link to valued ways of being   People chose to engage when initiatives supported a Western Arrernte sense of wellbeing:   Built on or reinforced Western Arrernte identity through association with family and country,   Worked within Western Arrernte norms governing social interactions and obligations. ‘ Pursuit of a life they have reason to value’ (Sen)

The township leases  Economic development & secure government infrastructure investments Vs   Threat to family autonomy, cohesion, authority and people’s responsibility under Aboriginal Law.  Loss of recognition of Western Arrernte people’s identity in relationship with country

Real Jobs  Want work and training that leads to jobs if:  Work offers opportunities to build relationships with kin and country (supports aspirations)  The practical barriers to obtaining work and participating in training are recognised (housing, skills, prior experience, English, transport)

Wellbeing values, choice and agency Being well : Association with kin and country Acting well : Follow norms governing social behaviour and responsibilities Feeling well : comfortable & safe in sense of self in relation to others and place People’s choices sought to fulfil these valued ways of being

The role of voice   The only way to understand cultural values and how local circumstances influence Indigenous choices.   Becomes the means to inform choice and subject it to reason

An emerging opportunity Stronger Communities for Children Clan based membership Have authority to make decisions about the design and funding of child or family focused initiatives that meet local priorities, fit with local conditions & fill the gaps in existing services Resourced with information, training & opportunities for field study that enables leaders to make an informed decision