by Jesuit Communications Australia
Jesuit Social Services is working with communities around Alice Springs to support Eastern and Central Arrernte to improve their situation and to have more control over their lives.
Jesuit Social Services was then approached to assist, by supporting community members to develop plans and to engage stakeholders from various sectors of the community.
Eastern and Central Arrernte people made this approach to the Church network because they were deeply concerned about the impact of the changes in government business and service delivery. These changes have resulted in a reduction in the community’s ability to access these mainstream systems and programs in culturally appropriate, meaningful, effective and sustainable ways.
This new project will be based on community development principles and will be commencing work at the family group level. Our agreed approach will:
embrace the importance of culture, family and sovereignty
embrace the centrality of strong, respectful relationships and reciprocity in partnerships
build on the strengths of Indigenous people, families and communities
follow sound sustainable community development principles.
Through local family and community meetings, this project will undertake a local assessment of needs, identify priorities and develop plans to address these. Opportunities to directly address ‘closing the gap’ will be identified. Community governance structures will be established and strengthened and areas for corporate, philanthropic and government engagement will be identified.
‘We were really honoured to be asked to play a role in trying to improve the lot of Indigenous people in central Australia’, says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards. ‘The reality of the situation is a great cause of shame for all of us. There’s a lot to do and a lot for us to learn.’
Jesuit Social Services is urgently seeking support for this project. If you would like to support it, or find out more, please contact Jesuit Social Services on (03) 9427 7388