Aboriginal Health Aim:To discuss the relationship between Aboriginal and mainstream society and to move forward

A pan-Aboriginal perspective? Although every Aboriginal person is an individual, every Aboriginal person’s life has been affected by their Aboriginality Until 1967 when they got the vote, Aboriginal peoples’ lives were regulated by State flora and fauna acts How might this feel?

Indigenous people are a measure of our society (Behrendt) ‘the practical outcome of using Aboriginal experience as a measurement of the effectiveness of rights protections is that this will require an investigation and understanding of those unique experiences, histories, narratives, and identities, bringing them to the centre of discussions over democracy’.

The meaning of democracy All people shall have an equal opportunity or responsibility to vote, etc. Rights to freedom of speech and information Dreams of cultural minorities and all other individuals deserve to be sustainably supported rather than crushed by the wealth related or majority perspective

Reconciliation Should be equated with the necessity to raise and honestly discuss issues of concern, rather than with absence of discussion or debate Formal reconciliation process began in 1991when Federal Parliament unanimously supported it and established a body to consult and develop strategies

Indigenous people (2% of pop.) Growing rapidly and younger than the general pop. About half less than 20 years old (Half less than 34 for total Aust. Population.) A quarter of indigenous people live outside urban areas (one in 7 other Australians) Over half Aboriginal people in NSW and Qld.

Aboriginal health and welfare Comparatively, Aboriginal people have far shorter life and worse health Poorer levels of mental health, as measured by violence, substance abuse and suicidal behaviour Higher levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of preventative services

Stolen generations Prior to the 1970s any pregnant unmarried woman in mainstream Australia had a ‘shotgun wedding’, an adoption, or an illegal abortion If an Aboriginal baby was white it was often taken at around 7 years of age. If it was black it was more likely to be left alone. (Half-caste assimilation policy)

Land rights and self determination Until 1992 no legal recognition that Aboriginal people had any right to land ‘Terra nullius’overturned by High Court (Mabo decision) Native Title Act Wik Decision found native title and pastoral lease may coexist

In the multicultural society who is an Aborigine? A major issue if Western concepts of land ownership and land rights are equated Demonstrated genetic links? Acceptance by the community? Self identification? Today about 15% of Australian land is owned or controlled by indigenous people

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Primary Commonwealth authority responsible for assisting self management by Aboriginal communities ATSIC budget in 2002 was $1.1 billion Community development employment projects (CDEP) and Community housing and infrastructure projects (CHIP) more than half of this expenditure

Other ATSIC expenditure Native title and land rights Legal aid and prevention and diversion Commercial development A self-funding loans scheme

Indigenous Management In Qld. The Community Services (Aborigines) Act establishes the management structures for land governed by Aboriginal people (rather like local government structures) Aboriginal Land Act of 1991 defines this and it primarily consists of former reserves

An Aboriginal Council Discharges the functions of local govt. May make by-laws for promoting, maintaining, regulating and controlling peace, order, discipline, comfort, health, moral safety, convenience, food supply, housing and welfare of its area May also undertake planning and development of the area with local govt.

Aboriginal and other community liaison A stipendiary magistrate to visit each Council area once every three months to liaise with the Court Aboriginal Coordinating Council meets with Aboriginal Industries Board Environment is a State matter – e.g. Catchment, fisheries and marine parks (but) National Aboriginal Fishing Strategy

Environmental policy and guidelines for protected areas The policy covers protection of natural and cultural values and sets out a basis for achieving this without disturbing Native Title of traditional owners Policy gives direction for working in consultation with traditional communities for management of traditional land and waters (Duty of care management)

Housing policy In 1992 national agreement to improved outcomes in delivery of services to Aboriginal people implemented by local government and local Aboriginal communities 1994: Commonwealth and ATSIC agreed National Indigenous Housing Strategy which established pooled funds for housing

Indigenous Health Priorities Health worker training to focus on family and community development Child and community health Crime prevention through education and social support Employment and housing

NSW Standing Committee on Law and Justice (2000) ‘The only evidence I see of real success in the reduction of violence and the improvement of conditions in Aboriginal communities in this country is where local people have genuinely taken some control over their situation’ (Homel) General importance of alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice

Community Development Employment Projects Indigenous communities voluntarily forego their entitlements to income support payments in return for increasing training and work opportunities Communities identify and prioritize problems in order to establish projects and structures aimed at their reduction