4725.0 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth, Apr 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

29 April, 2011
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
50/2011

Speaking an Indigenous language linked to youth wellbeing

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in remote areas who speak an Indigenous language are less likely to experience risk factors associated with poor wellbeing, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The report found that in 2008, almost half (47%) of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (aged 15–24 years) in remote areas spoke an Indigenous language. These young people were less likely to engage in high risk alcohol consumption and illicit substance use, than those who did not speak an Indigenous language. They were also less likely to report being a victim of physical violence.

However, the report also showed that there has been a decline in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who can speak an Indigenous language. In 2008, 13% of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth could speak an Indigenous language, down from 18% in 2002.

Despite this decrease in Indigenous language skills, 21% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 3–14 years who did not speak an Indigenous language at home were learning one. About one in three (31%) children aged 3–14 years also spent time with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elder at least once a week.

In addition, the report found that youth who had been discriminated against because of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origins were less likely to have some characteristics associated with positive wellbeing.

In 2008, one-quarter (26%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth reported having experienced discrimination in the past 12 months because of their origins. These youth were less likely to be employed, studying full-time or able to get support outside of their households than those who had not experienced discrimination. They were also more likely to have experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress compared with their peers who did not experience discrimination.

More details on these and other topics are available in the April release of the report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth (cat.no. 4725.0). Additional analyses of the children and youth data will be available later in 2011.

Media notes:
Psychological distress is measured using a modified version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. High scores indicate that feelings of anxiety or depression may be being experienced on a regular basis, whereas a low score indicates these feelings are experienced less frequently or not at all.
When reporting on ABS data the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source.
This page last updated 28 April 2011
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4725.0Media%20Release1Apr%202011?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4725.0&issue=Apr%202011&num=&view=


4725.0 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth, Apr
2011

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Taking bookings for NAIDOC

With A Day round the corner, we're gettin the word out now. We are available for bookings for celebrations and functions, whether it be a smoking ceremony, performance, welcolm,opening, workshops or tailored packages/tours and maybe even camps soon. Please contact 0437454628 or email pattycools@live.com.au to find out more or book the dancers for your next event.

Practicin up 4 NAIDOC soon

This is a callout to all dancers, practice begins soon. We'll be steppin it up this year with different ideas 4 performance peieces and projects. Stay tuned or watch this site to find out more in the coming weeks. Contact patty via fb or mobile in the meantime about practice onweekend at the adult learning centre dunwich.

We hope to see a big mob again this year, bring mum, dad, brothers, sisters, nans, pops, aunties and uncles.

Dancin for health

Launcing NAIDOC for Wynnum area Health Services...


Jahleesha, Kevin, Mundanara, Garland, Kasai, Tiga, Reilly, Mathew, Patrick and Kaiyu joined staff and community members to celebrate NAIDOC.  Today was a special performance for mob from Straddie as some of the families from Straddie work or support Health Initiatives and this was a good day to share with them some fun through dance.


From all the dancers thank you Sylvan and all the organisers for inviting us to take part in the days activities and to Kupmurri Delights for a deadly feed.

The Premier begins NAIDOC week with a bang

Our Kids danced in the big smoke in  George street at the Government offices 
and danced their hearts out. What a big trip, from the ferry, to the bus and back 
again all 18 kids, Patty n Kaiyu.  All the older ones did a good job of helping
 with the younger ones. They know their stuff and had heaps of fun dancing, 
had a big feed of crocodile, kangaroo and bush tucker, than had fun some more.  
Thank you to all who helped make this day a deadly one to remember for all of us.

NAIDOC opens for 2010 in Brisbane

Last Sunday we rose early to get to musgrave Park for the official opening of BBrisbane's Celebrations.  What a deadly day it was too.  Nunka was with us, Kimmy, Matty, Patty, Tiga, Reilly, Kaiyu and Rosie all danced.  Patty n Nunka did a smoking ceromony for the elders and there were speakers toaking about how NAIDOC began and who was involved.  Another uncle spoke about how we need to be part of the grass roots, low key events around town as well as the Big days like Family Day.  And questioned appointed leaders in the lime light as they are always absent from these events.  Hhhhhhmmmmm....... Something for us all to think about hey.  Their was a feed from Kupmurri delights and it was good to be with mob on the mainland again.

Yullu Burri Ba is coming to an event near you

Gig # Date Time/Duration                   Group                                Address of event
1  4/710 11am for 15 mins Culture Centre                Musgrave Park
2 5/7/10 1pm for 8 mins         Government       George Street, Brisbane City
3 6/7/10 12pm for 20 mins Health                       Wynnum
4 6/7/10 5pm for 15 mins QUT
5 7/7/10                         Cleveland Library
6 8/7/10 11am for 20 mins Qld Art Gallery        South Brisbane
7 9/7/10 10 am all day         Family Fun Day        Musgrave Park
 8 14/7/10 9.30 for 15 minsx2 Capalaba State School    School Road Capalaba

 9  16/7/10 9.30 for 15 minsx2 Redland Bay State School

10 16/7/10 10am for 20 mins Dunwich State High School Dunwich

11 16/7/10                         Capalaba College