Indigenous issues

On February 12, 2008, 220 years after the first European settlers arrived in Australia, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised for the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and acknowledged the destruction of Indigenous culture that followed European settlement of our country.
 
Three years later, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to bear the burden of years of neglect – a mortality rate which sees them dying 10-17 years earlier than their non-Indigenous counterparts, an unemployment rate far exceeding that of their fellow Australians, poor health, inadequate education and sub-standard housing.

The Loreto Sisters have a commitment, in particular, to the education of young Aboriginal people in the Kimberley, the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese and Alice Springs. We also continue to advocate and work with other organisations to ‘close the gap’ and end Indigenous disadvantage.

We call on all Australians to unite in efforts to close the gap that exists between the health, education, employment and housing of Indigenous people and that of non-Indigenous people.

We call on State and Federal Governments to increase funding for the training of Indigenous doctors, dentists, nurses and allied health workers.

We urge governments to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the process of bringing about better health and education in their lives and communities.

Photo:

Susan Daily ibvm with artist in the NT

Find out more