Muriel Bamblett CEO, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Chairperson of the Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Keeping Indigenous Children Safe – The Rights Way

The Rights Way Human rights –Recognises us as humans –Recognises us as peoples Key areas of rights –Self determination as peoples –Anti discrimination (race, religion, etc) –Prevention of genocide –Children’s rights

Rights as protection for Indigenous Children 1989 Convention of the Rights of the Child –right of Indigenous children to enjoy their traditional culture, practice their own religion and use their traditional language Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Victoria) –self-determination –best interests principles culture and connection in best interests of the Aboriginal child

Culture as Protection for Indigenous Children Being strong in culture protects Indigenous children’s –Sense of identity and self-esteem –Connection to family, culture and community –Resilience against racism and cultural abuse

Solutions – Self-determination self-determining peoples not client communities (i.e. as passive recipients of welfare) overseas experience indicates that self-determination and embedding culture in Indigenous child and family welfare programs and services lead to better outcomes. giving communities more control over the future of their children and creating services which are culturally competent and use culture as treatment is not only just it is also effective.

Solutions - Embedding Culture as Resilience Culture is central to identity. Culture defines who we are, how we think, how we communicate, what we value and what is important to us. We now know that fostering cultural identity is in the best interests of the child.

Culturally Embedded professional practice Holistic healing approach Narrative rather than diagnostic assessment and planning approach Culture as treatment – views Indigenous culture as essential Family strengthening approach – address the underlying issues by promoting a positive and culturally appropriate approach Culture as resilience –creating a culturally imbued framework for families Empowerment model –participant families become active participants in treatment rather than passive recipients

Conclusion Lack of rights and cultural disconnection are critical risk factors that mitigates against resilience and safety for our children. Culture can provide a sense of belonging – leading to resilience Rights can provide a framework to protect that sense of belonging