Aboriginal self-determination and autonomy
Self-determination is a term used to describe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people take matters into their own hands.
What is “self-determination”?
Self-determination involves a substantive transfer of decision-making power from government to Indigenous peoples. It requires programs and resources that can assist them in rebuilding their own decision-making capabilities [1].
Self-determination is something you take, not something a government gives you.—Gary Foley, Aboriginal activist [4]
Self-determination and self-government are essential bases for making sustained improvements in the socioeconomic conditions of Aboriginal people.
If governance is executed the right way, for example in a culturally responsive way, data shows that Aboriginal people are “in the driving seat” of their own development [7].
What unites Indigenous leaders around the world is a burning desire for their people to be respected, resourced properly and then left to make their own share of mistakes and their own progress.—Jeff McMullen, journalist [8]
Priciples of self-determination
To be successful in self-determination Aboriginal people need
- support,
- the freedom to be ambitious and creative, and to be themselves,
- knowledge of what has and hasn’t worked elsewhere,
- permission to make mistakes, and
- a stable policy environment that encourages and supports Aboriginal solutions.
Some of the work that successfully supports self-determination includes [7]
- leaders building succession planning into their work, i.e. preparing a younger generation to take over at some time, but also sponsoring younger people to attend conferences;
- groups designing investment strategies to look after future generations as well as the needs of current Aboriginal people;
- clans and nations negotiating complex agreements with the private sector or governments; and
- Aboriginal programs that build the practical capacity of Aboriginal people in communities to run education, policing and health systems.
Waltja Tjutangku is a successful Aboriginal community-based family service assisting communities to develop self-management and self-determination.
They defined the following principles for Aboriginal self-determination [2].
- Family. The family is the foundation of the Aboriginal community and identity. Service delivery is most effective when it occurs in the context of the broad family as understood by Aboriginal people.
- Community. Partnerships with Aboriginal communities are the most effective way of providing services to respond to identified needs.
- Proximity. The most effective services are provided by local community people who have access to training and support.
Self-determination and land rights is not just the power to say no, it's the power to say yes as well. Otherwise what we own is only half of what we're entitled to.—Noel Pearson, Aboriginal lawyer and elder [3]
Self-determination can backfire
Family-run dynasties within some Aboriginal communities can weaken Aboriginal self-determination. They pretend to be community-controlled but are not operating within the strict community-controlled organisation guidelines [5].
Some communities have established a two-class system in health, housing and education where the preferred class gets quick access to programs and services while the other class has to join a waiting list [5].
When started Aboriginal self-determination in Australia?
The first expression of Aboriginal self-determination is usually said to be in 1972 when the Whitlam government abolished the White Australia Policy and introduced a policy of self-determination.
But 50 years before that Aboriginal activists already lobbied for self-determination when they formed the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA) in April 1925 [6].
Presided by Fred Maynard, the AAPA made front page news with headlines like “Aborigines In Conference—Self Determination Is Their Aim—To Help A People”.
The AAPA attracted widespread support from Aboriginal communities and established 11 branches with a membership of more than 500 at a time when the Aboriginal Protection Board reported the total Aboriginal population of NSW as less than 7,000 [6].
In its manifesto the AAPA demanded [6]
- 40 acres of land to be granted to each and every Aboriginal family in Australia,
- to end the policy of child removal from their families by the Aboriginal Protection Board,
- to replace the Aboriginal Protection Board by an all-Aboriginal body to oversee Aboriginal affairs,
- citizenship for Aboriginal people within their own country,
- a Royal Commission into Aboriginal affairs,
- the federal government to take control of Aboriginal affairs, and
- the right to protect a strong Aboriginal cultural identity.
Self-determination in the US
There is “ample evidence” that the US policy of self-determination, formally adopted in the 1970s, is the only US Indian policy ever linked to sustained improvements in socioeconomic conditions in Indian communities [1].
The North American experience shows that self-determination pays off, provided that Indigenous tribes not only assume responsibility for their own affairs but invest time and energy in building governing institutions that can capably exercise decision-making power and that have the support of their own peoples. Non-indigenous governments must then take self-determination seriously.
Resources
Reconciliation Australia has a section on Aboriginal governance called the Indigenous Governance Tookit.
It is Australia’s only comprehensive online resource aimed at strengthening Aboriginal community and organisational governance. The toolkit provides stories about what works, case studies, resources, videos and templates.
Australia’s first Aboriginal business book
Check out Neil Willmett’s book How to Start a Successful Aboriginal Business in Australia which is Australia’s first Aboriginal business book. A guide for every Aboriginal small business starter and owner.
Last updated: 3 January 2013 | Out of respect for Aboriginal culture I use Indigenous sources as much as possible.
Article sources
[2] 'Celebrating Indigenous success stories', ANTaR flyer 10/2010
[3] 'Cape crusader', Koori Mail 487 p.11
[4] 'Tent Embassy and Identity', talk, Message Sticks 2012
[5] 'Equal and fair access for all', readers letter, Koori Mail 524 p.23
[6] 'In the footsteps of Fred Maynard', Koori Mail 393 p.34
[7] 'The Indigenous governance and development challenge: an international conversation', Reconciliation News 23, May 2012 p.10
[8] 'The Search for Common Ground', Jeff McMullen, address in Parramatta Town Hall, 8/9/2010
