Indigenous Australia

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria — established in an historic first in 2019 as the elected voice for Aboriginal people and communities in future Treaty discussions — has supported the Victorian Government to launch a truth and justice commission.

When the threat of COVID-19 became fully apparent last year, First Peoples health organisations across Australia swung quickly into action to prevent devastating effects in their communities.

The bushfires have shown us what climate change looks like. A reality millions are facing today all over the world. We reflect on the crisis and what we can do today.

For too long, the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have been unheard in Australia’s political landscape. But we’re working with partner organisation Aarnja to make sure that women like Bev Walley are heard, loud and clear.

In this edited extract from the book Practical Visionaries, Susan Blackburn explains how Oxfam’s predecessor, Community Aid Abroad (CAA), began working with Aboriginal communities in Australia more than 40 years ago.

As one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world, Australia Day has become a way of celebrating everything that is great about living in our prosperous, safe and cohesive society. But the current choice of 26 January as Australia’s national day is deeply problematic for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For Australia’s appointment to the United Nations Human Rights Council to have any credibility, the Government should address the significant issues confronting our First Peoples.

Torres Strait Islanders have contributed almost nothing to the causes of climate change, but are being hit first and hardest by its impacts. We visited the archipelago earlier this month to meet with communities and hear their experiences.

As notable Indigenous representatives met in Uluru last week they delivered a statement from the heart: “In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard.” And as these inspiring quotes by influential Indigenous leaders show, it’s time the government listened.

Born and bred in Alice Springs, Donna began her leadership journey at the age of 17, motivated to address the needs of young people in curbing anti-social behaviour. She says Oxfam’s Straight Talk program has given her the tools to become an influencer in her community and stand up for the rights of Aboriginal people.

After tackling his own mental health issues, Cormach Evans is now determined to improve the health and wellbeing of other Indigenous men in the Geelong community – through sport.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are faced with disproportionate rates of preventable disease, injury and mental health challenges. It’s unacceptable. It’s time to Close the Gap!

Kelly Langford, an Indigenous medical student, witnessed the heartbreaking burden of diabetes in her community and was inspired to take action.

Sol Bellear, a Land Rights legend and a pioneer of Aboriginal media, sports legal and health services, says that nothing now matters as much to him as overcoming heart disease amongst Aboriginal men.

Students at Tully State School in Northern Queensland were given ownership over their National Close the Gap Day event, and managed to grab the attention of their entire community.

After participating in Straight Talk, Shelley Cable realised that as an Indigenous woman, she has the experience and ability to make change on a national scale.

Cissy grew up seeing her elders fighting for the rights of Aboriginal people – and she is now one of many leading this fight.

There have been significant cuts in the past two budgets affecting Indigenous health and legal aid services. Eddie Cubillo, 2015 National Indigenous Legal Professional of the year, hopes this election will bring justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The current Federal Government promised a more proactive approach by placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs within the Prime Minister’s Department and within Cabinet. But that bold start has now well and truly stalled.

Oxfam’s Schools Program social media volunteer and guest blogger, Benjamin Clark, reveals the top entries from the 2016 Close the Gap Instagram challenge, all created by Australian students.

After another National Close the Gap Day, we take a look at what you’ve achieved and what still needs to be done to achieve Indigenous health equality.

Today on National Close the Gap Day, take one or more of these five actions to show your support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality.

The Close the Gap campaign aims to end the appalling life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by 2030. Together, we’ve started to Close the Gap. Here are 10 of our favourite milestones over the last 10 years:

We’ve created an Instagram photo challenge especially for Australian students to help Close the Gap. Adding your creative voice is a powerful way to help raise awareness and inspire others in your community.