Working with ATSI people and communities



Entry page For your use Committee Coordinators Workers Growing in understanding History Key Ideas Today Structures Reports FAQ Readings Glossary Practice implications History The Dreaming The Land The Law & The Lore Family and kinship Image and identity Self-determination Practice tips Policy Upper Hunter Acknowledgements Test your knowledge Copyright \| Feedback		Growing in understanding: Introduction

		To provide quality services to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities, people working in organisations providing services need to be able to: Understand recent Australian history Understand the key ideas and concepts such as the Dreaming, the importance of the Land, the Law and family and kinship Understand the current situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities (eg health, housing and legal issues). Be aware of significant reports and their findings (eg the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report) Know their way around relevant structures (eg what government departments have what roles, where to find ATSI Liaison Officers, what Land Councils do) Know the answers to common questions (eg who is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander? What is a welcome to country?) Staff who know and understand these things will be better able to provide quality services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities than those who don't. This section of the web site provides core information and background readings on these topics.