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Voice and agency: Voice and agency: The promise of The promise of
process for process for Indigenous Agency Indigenous Agency
Dr Annie KennedyDr Annie [email protected]
Tjuwanpa Outstation Resource CentreTjuwanpa Outstation Resource Centre
The research contextThe research context
What are the conditions that underpin What are the conditions that underpin Indigenous engagement?Indigenous engagement?
An ethnographic study based on Western An ethnographic study based on Western Arrernte outstation accounts of key NTER Arrernte outstation accounts of key NTER reforms – town leases, income reforms – town leases, income management and welfare to workmanagement and welfare to work
Undertaken from early 2007 to mid 2009Undertaken from early 2007 to mid 2009
Engagement’s link to valued Engagement’s link to valued ways of being ways of being
People chose to engage when initiatives supported a Western Arrernte sense of wellbeing:
Built on or reinforced Western Arrernte identity through association with family and country,
Worked within Western Arrernte norms governing social interactions and obligations.
‘Pursuit of a life they have reason to value’ (Sen)
The township leasesThe township leases
Economic development & secure Economic development & secure government infrastructure investmentsgovernment infrastructure investments
VsVs
Threat to family autonomy, cohesion, authority and people’s responsibility under Aboriginal Law.
Loss of recognition of Western Arrernte Loss of recognition of Western Arrernte people’s identity in relationship with people’s identity in relationship with countrycountry
Real JobsReal Jobs
Want work and training that leads to Want work and training that leads to jobs if:jobs if:
Work offers opportunities to build Work offers opportunities to build relationships with kin and country relationships with kin and country (supports aspirations)(supports aspirations)
The practical barriers to obtaining The practical barriers to obtaining work and participating in training work and participating in training are recognised (housing, skills, prior are recognised (housing, skills, prior experience, English, transport)experience, English, transport)
Wellbeing values, Wellbeing values, choice and agencychoice and agency
Being well: Association with kin and country
Acting well: Follow norms governing social behaviour and responsibilities
Feeling well: comfortable & safe in sense of self in relation to others and place
People’s choices sought to fulfil these valued ways of being
The role of voiceThe role of voice
The only way to understand cultural values and how local circumstances influence Indigenous choices.
Becomes the means to inform choice and subject it to reason
An emerging An emerging opportunityopportunity
Stronger Communities for ChildrenStronger Communities for Children
Clan based membership
Have authority to make decisions about the design and funding of child or family focused initiatives that meet local priorities, fit with local conditions & fill the gaps in existing services
Resourced with information, training & opportunities for field study that enables leaders to make an informed decision
