Supporting Self-Determination for Traditional Custodians and First Nations People
Working together for a culturally strong, thriving First Nations community.
The ACT Greens acknowledge that First Nations’ sovereignty has never been ceded. We recognise the Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians of this country and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship with land, water and sky. We also recognise and respect any other groups with a connection to these lands and the many other First Nations people that reside in the ACT region.
We want a culturally strong, thriving First Nations community in the ACT. We want First Nations cultures to be celebrated and valued and First Nations perspectives to be recognised and invited into decision making. The ACT Greens respect the sovereignty of First Nations and their right to self-determination. We understand that true reconciliation is a process that involves truth-telling and acknowledging past wrongs.
It is unacceptable that First Nations people in Australia continue to have a lower average life expectancy, experience racism and discrimination and be over-represented in our justice system. This has gone on for too long and the ACT Greens are committed to working with First Nations people to deliver better outcomes.
THE ACT GREENS WILL:
- Work closely with the community to deliver Truth, Treaty and Voice as called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart
- Increase community control of First Nations facilities and programs including Boomanulla Oval and Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm
- Implement the recommendations of the Our Booris, Our Way report
- Support establishment of an Aboriginal-controlled housing organisation to improve availability of culturally appropriate housing options
- Improve access to culturally safe holistic health and mental health care services that are governed and operated by First Nations people
- Reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations men and women to match non-Indigenous incarceration rates by 2031
- Work collaboratively to encourage Traditional Custodian participation in land and water management and decision making
- Grow artistic opportunities by doubling the Cultural Arts Program funding.