2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Many signs indicate that the health of Country is deteriorating, which has negative impacts on people–Country connections. Negative trends are consistent across regions. Legal recognition of Indigenous–Country connection is increasing, but traditional laws and governance are poorly recognised, leading to problems for Country and Indigenous people. Access to Country is difficult for many Indigenous people, and the distinctive cultural, spiritual and physical relationships are stronger than the economic relationships. Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.5, 6.6, 14.2, 15.1 Legend How was this assessment made For more information, go toCountry and connections Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share this link Assessment The health of Australia’s lands and seas that underpins distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic connections with Indigenous people 2021 Adequate confidence Many early warning signs are showing that things are wrong. We are losing species, which greatly impacts culture and our connections. Regionally consistent. Assessment Areas of Australia’s land and seas covered by or subject to, Indigenous people’s legal rights or interests 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence The Indigenous land and sea estate is growing, but there is a developing crisis if Indigenous organisations do not have adequate legal rights to negotiate agreements and rights. Legal recognition has increased overall, but Indigenous rights are highly constrained by Australian governments’ laws. Traditional laws, lore and governance are poorly recognised. Few rights are recognised over the seas and inland waters. Economic opportunities are limited for many Indigenous communities as they are struggling to operate. Regionally variable, great increases in some places and little in many (e.g. south-eastern Australia). Assessment Maintenance of a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship between Indigenous people and Country through sufficient access to their land and waters 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Access to land and waters is generally not sufficient. Economic relationships are highly dependent on funding and contracts, which are lacking. The distinctive cultural, spiritual and physical relationships continue. Regionally variable.
2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Overall, the state of Indigenous people’s wellbeing scored very poor to poor, with an overall trend of improving, although with substantial numbers of experts assessing the trend as deteriorating. Recognition of Indigenous peoples as First Nations with responsibilities for Country is increasing, but wellbeing outcomes aligned with the inseparable Country–people connection continue to be affected by barriers to being on Country. Intergenerational trauma from colonisation and policies such as the Stolen Generations continue. Indigenous languages and cultures are resurging, but there is limited external support for relevant activities. Regional variation is high, with great disparities between urban, rural and remote populations. Measurement of wellbeing is preliminary, as Indigenous-led wellbeing assessments are at an early stage of development. Further support is needed to better align criteria and methods with Indigenous people’s own values and practices. Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 1.4, 2.3, 8.3, 15.6 Legend How was this assessment made For more information, go toPeople Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share this link Assessment Indigenous peoples’ cultures and languages 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Key gaps exist between the strength of language and culture, and the support for language and culture. Limited external support is available, and strength and vitality has been self-generated against the odds. Regionally variable, with some communities much stronger than their neighbours. Assessment Ability of Indigenous people to fulfil their caring for Country activities and obligations 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Indigenous people’s ability to care for Country is affected by their health and wellbeing, and vice versa: the two are inseparable. Being on and reconnecting with Country improves health and wellbeing. Trauma from colonisation, from losing Elders, from ongoing discrimination and disadvantage, continues to have negative impacts on people’s ability to care for Country. Regionally variable, with great disparities between urban, rural and remote areas. Assessment Recognition and support for Indigenous peoples’ identities as cohesive communities of First Peoples and their associated connections to Australia’s land and seas 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Recognition of identities is increasing, but support for identity, culture, community and connection is lagging. The broader community lacks understanding of what identity means for Indigenous people in terms of cultural, spiritual connection to Country. People in regions where legal recognition and associated support is increasing are experiencing associated positive wellbeing outcomes (e.g. northern Australia), whereas others still have lack of recognition and support (e.g. people in urban areas). Regionally variable, with great disparities between urban and rural areas.
2021 Somewhat adequate confidence There are very high negative effects on Indigenous people across Australia from environmental, socio-political and economic pressures and drivers of change. The overall trend is deteriorating, with pressures increasing. Legacies of colonisation continue to impact through, for example, cultural knowledge piracy. Clearing of land, climate change and mining expansion are among many environmental changes damaging Country and Indigenous people’s heritage, cultural connections and obligations. Environmental programs pay insufficient attention to cultural obligations, and regulations can impede key cultural activities such as Indigenous hunting, fishing and gathering traditions. Unequal access to funding and to Country is degrading knowledge of, and activities on, Country. These negative impacts are largely consistent across regions, with some exceptions. Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 12.4, 13.1, 14.2, 15.5 Legend How was this assessment made For more information, go toPeople and industry Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share this link Assessment Legacies of colonisation that degrade Indigenous people’s capacity, equity and cultural safety for governance and management of Australia’s land and seas 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Legacies of colonisation continue to have very high negative impacts through, for example, cultural knowledge piracy and the politics of ongoing colonial oppression. Regionally consistent. Assessment Pressures that degrade environmental assets of significance to Indigenous people 2021 Adequate confidence Pressures like land clearing, climate change and mining expansion are growing, and their impacts on Indigenous people are increasing. Regionally consistent. Assessment Environmental pressures that degrade cultural and environmental knowledge and practices for caring for Country, and cross-generational transmission of these 2021 Adequate confidence Physical pressures are increasing – for example, climate change, deforestation, and socio-political pressures such as formal environmental management programs that do not fund Elders and young people to be on Country together at the same time or regulations that make Indigenous fishing difficult. Regionally consistent. Assessment Socio-economic pressures on Indigenous people 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Unequal access to money, land, sea and water are pressures that stop people engaging in businesses that would allow them to practise caring for Country and pass on their knowledge. Regionally variable, with some regions having greater access to funding.
2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Management responses are currently partially effective with an overall trend of improving across much of Australia through diverse government and community programs and policies. Rangers and environmental management programs are increasing opportunities for Indigenous land and sea management. Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) have great strengths as Indigenous-led ways to recognise, respect and provide some resources for Indigenous management. However, IPAs are not comprehensive, adequate or representative, and lack the legislative foundations to stop extractive uses such as mining. Self-determined governance through traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural practices is poorly recognised, which undermines the capacity for Indigenous-led caring for Country. A greater focus on longer-term funding, adequate resources, building of diverse skills (rangers, coordinators, managers, advisers) will improve capacity. Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 12.8, 15.6 Legend How was this assessment made For more information, go toEnablers of caring for Country Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share this link Assessment Recognition of Indigenous people’s distinctive relationships with and obligations for caring for Country 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Current legislation, regulations and policies do not consider traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural governance. Regionally variable. Assessment Comprehensive, adequate, representative and appropriately managed Indigenous Protected Areas 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence IPAs have great strengths as Indigenous-led ways to recognise, respect and provide some resources for Indigenous management. However, IPAs do not represent all ecosystems across Australia, and are not comprehensive. IPAs lack legislative foundations and cannot stop extractive industries (e.g. mining or commercial fisheries). Regionally variable. Assessment Indigenous people’s self-determined governance of Australia’s lands and waters is recognised and supported 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Self-determined governance through traditional and customary laws, lore and cultural practices is poorly recognised. Few rights are recognised over the seas and inland waters. Regionally variable. Assessment Indigenous people’s capacity to manage and use the resources of Australia’s land and seas 2021 Somewhat adequate confidence Indigenous people’s capacity is often undermined by lack of control. Their rights to manage are not properly recognised or supported with resources, so they depend on others to enable their participation. Regulations also stop management and use. A greater focus on longer-term funding, adequate resources, building of diverse skills (rangers, coordinators, managers, advisers) will improve capacity. Regionally variable.