Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia and comprise of diverse nations, each with their own language and traditions. Aboriginal people have an interconnected relationship with land and strong kinships.
Outdated definitions based on skin colour or percentages of Aboriginal blood have been replaced by modern definitions which stress ancestry and identification.
The Federal Government defines an Aboriginal person as someone who:
- Is of Aboriginal descent
- Identifies as an Aboriginal person, and
- Is accepted as an Aboriginal person by the community in which they live
This Strategy seeks to address the impacts of colonisations and generations of discriminatory practices that still resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
New Lambton FC Juniors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network
We are currently in the process of setting up an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their allies across the Club to connect and build a sense of belonging and community. It will be an effective platform to contribute to a positive environment. Anyone at the Club who wishes and considers themselves an advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is welcome to join the Network. Please contact a member of the Club committee if you would like to find out more or to join the Network.
Some important statistics
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 3.2% of the Australian population, 3.4% of NSW population and 4.4% of the Newcastle population
- In the first pass of the recent census the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has increased by 25%, making it the fastest growing population in Australia