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Our young Indigenous Australians

By July 7, 2019January 9th, 2020No Comments

This NAIDOC week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) the theme is Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of our land and pay respect to elders, past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the culture and dreams of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continual relationship with the land and we recognise the importance of the young people who are the future leaders.

At Sir David Martin Foundation our values of celebration and respect ensure that we offer help to all young people in crisis. Sadly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are more at risk than most. Indigenous youth suicide is a national crisis in Australia. According to the 2011 Census, suicide was the leading contributor for ‘burden of disease’ for Indigenous young people aged 10-24 (13%). According to Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2017, Indigenous young people were more likely than non-Indigenous young people to be extremely/very concerned about:

Drugs: 17% compared to 6%

Alcohol: 14% concerned compared to 6%

Suicide: 20% concerned compared to 13%

Discrimination: 20% concerned compared to 11%

Bullying/emotional abuse: 25% concerned compared to 15%

Personal safety: 25% concerned compared to 15%

NAIDOC week brings the opportunity for us to learn from Indigenous Australians and get involved in reconciliation. Let’s work together for a shared future.

Learn more about NAIDOC Week.