Transcript Document
ATSI Women’s
Initiatives
For the advancement
of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
Women
From Little
Things, Big
Things Grow
Ruth Wallace
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Fund Incorporated
Northern Institute
speak independently from a sound evidence base on
social and public policy research
attract high quality researchers and research funding
conduct world class innovative research
broker research partnerships with government,
community and industry
develop the capacity of people in the region to
engage in, lead and use research undertaken
through the institute
Support networking and knowledge sharing through
symposia and events
disseminate research outputs through contributions to
high impact, peer reviewed journals, books, reports
and other public media
www.cdu.edu.au/thenortherninstitute
Northern Institute themes
CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH GROUP (CARG) recognising and addressing social and
systemic barriers to diverse group participation, economic activity, active citizenship and
the links to the development and implementation of social policy.
CONTEMPORY INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND GOVERNANCE to undertake research
that engages people in policy formation and knowledge management across diverse
knowledge systems that produces research outcomes for participants’ benefit.
DEMOGRAPHY AND GROWTH PLANNING understanding population systems and trends
found in the Northern Territory’s regional and remote areas, and being able to make
decisions about the impact on economic and social wellbeing.
EVALUATION FOR NORTHERN CONTEXTS evaluation approaches that work to engage
people in remote communities, policy makers and funders, to support understanding
evidence building in the evaluation process and its outcomes.
NORTHERN FUTURES researching the social impacts and processes of the changes in
Northern Australia related to infrastructure development, public policy and climate
change.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, MIGRATION AND PATHWAYS TO LEARNING identifying ways
to plan for, support, develop and sustain workforces in a competitive market, in regional
and remote areas both in large-scale and micro-businesses, and to embed the Northern
Territory within global debates on international migration, integration and equality.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Women 2013
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Education
Completing
year 10 increases
employment chances by 40%, another
13% if complete year 12
21% ATSI people 15-64 completed year 12
(18% in 2002 54% of non ATSI people)
46.5% retention rate in 2008 (30.7 in 1995)
26% of ATSI people with non school
education – 2011(65% non ATSI)
77% non-school qualification -Cert 3 or 4
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander employment
51% of ATSI people over 15 in labour force – 64% of
non-ATSI people (46% female)
18% unemployment rate – 31% for 15-19 year olds
92% were employees, 6% worked in their own
business and 1% were contributing family workers
75% were employed in the private sector
and 23% worked in the public sector
59% worked FT hours and 32% worked PT hours
18% were employed as labourers
17% as community and personal service workers,
13% professionals, clerical and administrative
workers, technicians and trade workers (ABS 2011)
Adult education that supports
employment
Challenges learners and has high
expectations
Actively acknowledges Aboriginal leadership,
governance and knowledge
Links to need, work life and opportunities
Build resilience and learning identity
Just in time, just enough, just for me,
Utilises multimedia technology to support
student centred learning and representation
of learning
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Enterprises
Rapid increase since 1991, top 500 generate $1.61B 2011-12,
Diverse business across urban, regional and remote
communities
Success is dependent on ensuring the following:
Culture is embedded
Elements of social and corporate enterprise
Good governance
Strong community participation
Women’s roles and aspirations
Build on Indigenous knowledge and strengths
Build to formal education and recognition
Pressure to diversify and defy small business patterns
Women’s business patterns
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Policy and
Support
Deficit and short term focus
Focus on individual financial literacy and business
support
Supports business plan but not sustainability
Isolates Indigenous business people
Need to value Indigenous knowledge as a
resource
Needs to build networks and communities of
success
Doesn’t support sustainable businesses
Lack of gender balance
What does the future hold?
Project
1 – Establishing a network of ATSI
women’s groups across Australia
Project 2 – Fashion the Indigenous Way
Project 3 – Leadership development international representation by Indigenous
women
Project 4 - Indigenous Enterprise Hub
Working in partnership
Thank you
Come
walk with us to support Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander women’s
leadership and organisations