PRIORITY AREA 1: CULTURE AT THE CENTRE OF CHANGE The importance of culture underpins the value that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people place on continuing to practice ways of knowing and being, which are embodied in Country, family, ancestors, language, art, dance, songs and ceremony. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are diverse and continue to thrive across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia. In 2016, over one-third of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population reported living in capital city areas, with a contemporary sense of belonging, along with traditional ties, reinforced through kinship and family networks. Practising culture can involve a living relationship with ancestors, the spiritual dimension of existence, and connection to Country and language. Individual and community control over their physical environment, dignity and self-esteem, respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rights and a perception of just and fair treatment are also important to social and emotional wellbeing. Consultations and online submissions emphasised that culture needs to be at the centre of policies and programs. The Australian Government is also committed to addressing the ongoing barriers that impede access to health, education, employment and other essential services. From a systems lens, government programs and policies must also acknowledge and respond to the impacts of racism in the health system, and intergenerational trauma to support access and quality within broader service systems, and improve the that informs government and community action. Progress against this priority area can be made by building on existing effort to improve how governments engage with and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Empowered Communities initiative establishes a new way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and governments to work together. This approach puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and participation front and centre of government decision-making. Furthermore, all governments have agreed to embed cultural respect and responsiveness across all health systems through the Cultural Respect Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2016–2026. An innovative and strategic approach across government will ensure efforts to support the social determinants and cultural determinants of health are pursued systematically and collaboratively with a broader focus on outcomes.
PRIORITY AREA 1: CULTURE AT THE CENTRE OF CHANGE The importance of culture underpins the value that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people place on continuing to practice ways of knowing and being, which are embodied in Country, family, ancestors, language, art, dance, songs and ceremony. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are diverse and continue to thrive across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia. In 2016, over one-third of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population reported living in capital city areas, with a contemporary sense of belonging, along with traditional ties, reinforced through kinship and family networks. Practising culture can involve a living relationship with ancestors, the spiritual dimension of existence, and connection to Country and language. Individual and community control over their physical environment, dignity and self-esteem, respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rights and a perception of just and fair treatment are also important to social and emotional wellbeing. Consultations and online submissions emphasised that culture needs to be at the centre of policies and programs. The Australian Government is also committed to addressing the ongoing barriers that impede access to health, education, employment and other essential services. From a systems lens, government programs and policies must also acknowledge and respond to the impacts of racism in the health system, and intergenerational trauma to support access and quality within broader service systems, and improve the that informs government and community action. Progress against this priority area can be made by building on existing effort to improve how governments engage with and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Empowered Communities initiative establishes a new way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and governments to work together. This approach puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and participation front and centre of government decision-making. Furthermore, all governments have agreed to embed cultural respect and responsiveness across all health systems through the Cultural Respect Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2016–2026. An innovative and strategic approach across government will ensure efforts to support the social determinants and cultural determinants of health are pursued systematically and collaboratively with a broader focus on outcomes.
My%20Life%20My%20Lead%20Consultation%20Report.docx