“My wellbeing is at its greatest when I’m engaging with my culture and language”
- Young person during framework development
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body partners with the ACT Government to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT. Healthy communities have influence and take part in social, economic, and cultural life.
There is strong commitment to close the gap between life outcomes and opportunities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their non-Indigenous peers.
Wellbeing data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will help to identify barriers experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This will support self-determination in responding to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT and surrounding region.
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 (the Agreement) recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first people. Through this recognition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will have the ability and resources to provide their own solutions. It acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is key to improving the long-term wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Agreement identifies four core areas and six significant areas of focus, each supported by an action plan. The core focus areas are:
- children and young people,
- cultural integrity,
- inclusive community, and
- community leadership.
The significant focus areas are:
- connecting the community,
- lifelong learning,
- economic participation,
- health and wellbeing,
- housing, and
- justice.
The 2019 Annual Report on the Agreement shares the progress and activities undertaken by the ACT Government and its service delivery partners to deliver culturally appropriate and responsive services. This progress shows the genuine effort of the ACT Government to partner with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to harness cultural knowledge and build a respectful, fair, and inclusive Canberra community.
