This organization is pushing for Indigenous children to be taken into First Nations care after the “devastating” death of a teenager.

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

WARNING: This story contains references to a deceased Aboriginal person and distressing material, including references to suicide.

A Victorian Indigenous organization has backed coronary recommendations to better invest in cultural connections for Indigenous children in care.

Victoria Coroner Simon McGregor on Wednesday delivered his findings into the death of a Wemba Wemba teenager who died by suicide while in state care.

The 17-year-old, known as XY, died while living in a public residence in an Anglicare residential unit in the Victorian town of Bendigo.

She completed seven placements over four years and, in December 2020, wrote to the Department of Families, Equity and Housing (DFFH) to advocate for better care and cultural connection.

Mr. McGregor determined that the department violated his human rights by failing to listen to or act on his concerns.

“The department had a procedural obligation to take due account of XY’s human rights, which included hearing his voice and giving due consideration to his views,” its report said.

The coroner also noted that racism and systemic issues impacted the protection policies offered to the teen, known as XY for legal reasons, and that the services provided to her did not adequately address the needs of Aboriginal people.

It made 17 recommendations, including a push for the DFFH to transition all Indigenous children into Indigenous community-controlled care and the need for cultural safety and anti-racism training for all staff child protection.

Indigenous organization Vic welcomes recommendations

Victoria's Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, Bendigo District Indigenous Co-operative (BDAC), has welcomed and fully endorsed the coroner's 17 recommendations.

Dharug man and BDAC CEO Dallas Widdicombe said XY's death was a “devastating loss” and highlighted the effect on the Bendigo community.

Mr Widdicombe said his death reveals a series of system problems that led to his inadequate care and highlighted the importance of cultural safety and connection for Indigenous children in care.

He said the organization welcomes the “emphasis on the importance of culturally connected care that is identified among the recommendations.”

“As Indigenous people, we know that connections to culture and community are essential to our well-being,” he said.

“This couldn’t be more important for a young child who is in a very vulnerable situation.”

Mr Widdicombe said while he recognized the State Government's commitment to devolving statutory powers to Indigenous care organizations, it needed to extend to residential care.

BDAC has advocated for Indigenous Community Controlled Organizations (ACCOs) to receive appropriate funding for the provision of culturally appropriate residential care for Indigenous children.

They have expressed this and want all training providers to have access to Indigenous specialist advice and cultural awareness training provided by ACCOs in their submission to the survey.

No Indigenous child should be placed in a situation where they do not have cultural support around them.

“Every care plan must provide genuine opportunities for Indigenous children and young people to make meaningful connections with their community and culture,” Mr Widdicombe said.

Mr Widdicombe said the inquiry's recommendations reflected BDAC's wishes and thus made the organization feel seen, heard and valued.

He said BDAC remains “committed to working with government and other stakeholders to ensure that young people’s cultural and community connections are nurtured”.

“And that they are safe and supported to thrive.”