Every child deserves a chance at happiness and the opportunity to realise their potential for a fulfilling and useful life. We all know that children need more than just a roof over their heads – love, understanding and encouragement are just as important.
Footprints in Time, the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, looks at the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families, and the ways their culture keeps them strong and healthy. We know that how people feel about themselves, whether they feel valued and respected has a whole lot to do with how they handle problems.
Our kids have to see that they are stronger and smarter than this society has so far given them credit for. We need to help them cultivate an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity that is strong and smart. We all need to recognise that children’s sense of themselves as Aboriginal people – who they are and where they come from – is of both practical and spiritual value. In bestowing identity we also bestow dignity.
There are plenty of examples of Indigenous success; we just have to recognise it and replicate it. We have to see evidence of success as points of light all around us and join them up to create a universe of opportunity for our children. These results from the first wave of Footprints in Time data provide more points of light. I hope you find them useful.
Professor Mick Dodson AM
Chair
LSIC Steering Committee
September 2009