“First Nations” in Australia

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Melbourne, Australia and participating in a meeting sponsored by Deakin University for family-service providers who use the NCFAS tools. I was especially impressed by the work being done with “First Nations” people in Australia. Since November is “Native American Heritage” month in the United States, it seems like a good time to share what’s happening with indigenous peoples in Australia. I want to thank Professor John W. Toumbourou and Dr. Michelle Benstead at Deakin University for submitting the following article.

We were pleased to host Michelle Reines’ visit to Australia in September 2023, where she presented to NCFAS family-service and Deakin University partners. During her visit, Australia was debating a constitutional change to incorporate a First Nations voice to the Federal Parliament. Although the proposal was rejected, the debate highlighted the commitment from many to improve First Nations’ family services.

A recent paper (Doery et al, 2023) quoted from the Australian song ‘Took the Children away’ written and sung by the late Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder, Archie Roach: “The children came back. Back where their hearts grow strong. Back where they all belong”. Doery and colleagues noted these “lyrics speak to the importance of Country, community, identity, and culture for Australia’s First Nations People. In his song, Archie Roach explores the destruction, pain, and suffering caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their parents between the 1910’s and 1970s, in what is known as the Stolen Generations.

The Stolen Generations is just one of many “assimilation” policies that destroyed First Nations family life, culture, and communities. Beyond Australia, there are similar historical and contemporary policies around the world including policies in the USA, which involved evicting First Nations communities from their land causing long-term cultural destruction and social challenges”. Doery and colleagues go on to outline some of the positive trends that are emerging to address the high rates of mental health problems experienced in the First Nations. They emphasize the importance of combining cultural practices and community involvement in education and employment opportunities.

To support these directions, Deakin University has announced a strategy to incorporate First Nations cultural understandings into the tertiary curricula. Our Deakin University NCFAS team are planning in 2024 to consult stakeholders to establish cultural adaptions that can strengthen the benefit of the NCFAS for First Nations families. Deakin University has been rated amongst the top 1% of universities in the world and has a strong emphasis on partnerships.

Reference: Doery, E., Satyen, L., Paradies, Y., & Toumbourou, J. (2023) How a Strong Indigenous Identity Helps Kids Thrive. Greater Good Magazine, University of California, Berkeley. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_a_strong_indigenous_identity_helps_kids_thrive

Posted by Michelle Reines, NFPN Executive Director