Indigenous Australian self-determination facts for kids
Indigenous Australian self-determination, also known as Aboriginal Australian self-determination, is about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples having the power to make their own decisions. It means they have the right to decide their own future and manage their own economic, social, and cultural interests.
Self-determination means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should lead and carry out policies and services that affect them. This includes Aboriginal land rights (their rights to their traditional lands) and self-governance (managing their own affairs). It can also involve a treaty (a formal agreement) between a government and an Indigenous group.
From the 1970s to the 1990s, the Australian government supported Aboriginal groups moving from big settlements back to smaller communities called outstations on their traditional lands. Also, starting in the early 1970s, Aboriginal communities began running their own health services, legal services, and housing cooperatives.
A New Start: 1960s-1970s
During this time, the Whitlam Government made big changes to how Australia dealt with Indigenous people. They moved away from a policy called cultural assimilation (which tried to make Indigenous people live like non-Indigenous Australians) and started supporting self-determination.
Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders
The Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) was started in 1957. It was a group of different organizations working together to improve Aboriginal rights.
Department of Aboriginal Affairs
The Whitlam Government created the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. This new department replaced older government groups that handled Indigenous affairs. It also aimed to help Indigenous Australians achieve self-determination by hiring Indigenous people to work there.
National Aboriginal Consultative Committee
The National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC) was the first group elected by Indigenous Australians to represent them across the country. It was set up by the Whitlam Government in 1972. It had 36 representatives chosen by Aboriginal people from 36 different areas in Australia. In 1983, about 78% of eligible people voted in these elections. However, the NACC faced challenges working with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and had some internal difficulties.
National Aboriginal Conference
After a review in 1976, the NACC was closed down by the new Fraser Government in 1977. To replace it, the National Aboriginal Conference (NAC) was created.
Moving Forward: 1980s-1990s
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
After the Hawke Government was elected in 1983, two reports looked into replacing the NAC. These reports suggested that the NAC wasn't fully representing its people or pushing for specific policies effectively.
To address these ideas, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was started in 1989. ATSIC was designed to give Indigenous people a stronger voice and manage services for their communities. However, it faced challenges and was eventually closed down by the Howard Government in 2004.
Aboriginal Provisional Government
The Aboriginal Provisional Government is a group that has worked for Aboriginal sovereignty (meaning Aboriginal people having full control over their own affairs) in Australia. It is led by a council of Elders and even issues special Aboriginal passports.
Recent Times: 2000 - Current
When ATSIC was closed in 2004, some people felt it was a step back for self-determination. However, Indigenous Australians have continued to call for more control over their own lives.
Uluru Statement
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a powerful message from Indigenous Australians in 2017. It called for a "First Nations Voice" (a way for Indigenous people to advise the government) and a "Makarrata Commission" to help with "agreement-making" (making treaties or agreements) and "truth-telling" (sharing the true history of Australia). This idea was initially not accepted by the Turnbull Government.
Victorian First Peoples' Assembly
In 2018, the state of Victoria passed laws to create a legal framework for an Aboriginal representative body. This body could then negotiate a treaty with the state government. This led to the 2019 Victorian First Peoples' Assembly election, where 21 members were chosen for the First Peoples' Assembly.
Indigenous Voice to Government
On October 30, 2019, the government announced a plan to create an "Indigenous voice to government". This "Voice" aims to provide a way for Indigenous people to share their views and ideas directly with the federal government. A group of 20 leaders and experts from across Australia is working together to design how this Voice will work.
The plan involves two main steps:
- First, two groups (one focusing on local and regional issues, and another on national issues) will create ideas for how the Voice can improve decision-making and help the government hear Indigenous perspectives. Most members of these groups are Indigenous.
- Second, there will be discussions with Indigenous leaders, communities, and other important groups to improve the ideas developed in the first step.
The first meeting of the group working on the Voice happened in Canberra on November 13, 2019.
See also
Australia
- 1967 Australian referendum (Aboriginals)
- Aboriginal land rights in Australia
- Australian Aboriginal sovereignty
- Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians
- Indigenous treaties in Australia
- Voting rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
General
- Indigenous self-government in Canada
- Native American self-determination
- Indigenous rights
