Firstly, I would like to pay my respects and say a special thank you to the local Ngunnawal people whose traditional land we are standing on today.
On behalf of the Indigenous Employees Network of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade I would like to thank the Secretary's representative, David Spencer and colleagues for attending this flag-raising ceremony to inaugurate our week-long NAIDOC celebrations for 2006.
NAIDOC celebrates the survival of Indigenous culture and the contribution of Indigenous Australians to modern Australia. This year's theme "Respect the Past - Believe in the Future" is one of optimism. Believing in the future is a statement of faith in our young Indigenous people and is a call to harness their capacities and provide opportunities.
As one of the first Indigenous Graduate Trainees in the department, I have seen over the past 10 years, the role DFAT has played in providing opportunities to young Indigenous people.
I've had the pleasure to work with many DFAT Indigenous officers all of who make a valuable contribution to the department. Some have left the department and have taken experiences learned from DFAT to go on and do wonderful things in their own communities – from the Torres Strait, to Mt Isa to Central Australia. The department should be proud of the experiences it has given to Indigenous people.
During my time with the department I have also had the opportunity to be involved with Indigenous groups in Canada and most recently Taiwan. In Taiwan, the NAIDOC Week activities were particularly welcomed. There is a commonality and shared experiences between our two peoples. Taiwanese indigenous communities are also grappling with how to shape their own future and how to give their kids the opportunities to succeed. This year's theme would resonate equally across many indigenous communities overseas as it does in Australia. On behalf of the Indigenous employee network we welcome the efforts our colleagues overseas have put in over the years to promote this week - especially as demands are high and resources tight.
NAIDOC is about recognising achievements. This is not always easy as the failures of Indigenous people and difficulties associated with trying to 'fix the problems' of Indigenous people dominate the media and public perceptions. Recent Government and media attention to violence in Indigenous communities is the latest example. This renewed focus is an opportunity to enact meaningful and lasting change. But we should be 'cautious' not to stereotype Indigenous communities.
There are serious challenges that we have to deal with - and we do not shy away from this - but Indigenous Australians are overwhelmingly hopeful for the future and have a positive role to play in Australian society. There are real successes out there that should be recognised. These achievements are generating real outcomes in building a better future.
For example, the Larrapinta Learning Centre in the Larrapinta town camp in Alice Springs has drastically reduced substance abuse, alcohol abuse and violence in the Larrapinta town camp community.
The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress in the Northern Territory, one of the largest Aboriginal community controlled health services, was highly commended for an Indigenous Governance Award. This recognised the outstanding governance practices of this organisation.
And only last week the Yanyuwa people from the Sir Edward Pellew Islands in the Northern Territory settled a native title land claim after quiet persistence for 30 years.
The successes are also closer to home. The Australian Public Service Commission last year conducted a census survey about the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Public Service - the most significant review ever undertaken by the Commission.
I am pleased to report that, according to the Census, job satisfaction rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are higher than APS employees overall - 74 per cent compared to 71 per cent. In addition, 74 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees said they were proud to work in the APS compared with 71 per cent for other APS employees. These results are encouraging and show Indigenous Australians are proud to serve the wider community through the APS and that the APS - and DFAT - has a lot to offer. It's a shame that such positives are not featured in mainstream media.
The Department has thirty seven Indigenous employees working in all areas - in Australia and overseas. Most of us feel a responsibility - even an obligation - to make sure that opportunities remain open for the future. We take an active role in the recruitment, career development and retention of Indigenous employees in the Department. And most act as informal advisers on the conduct of the Department's activities, as they relate to Indigenous Australia.
The Indigenous Employees Network has worked hard to bring you some great events during this week. I hope you will join us at the NAIDOC Trivia Night on Thursday, to have a few drinks, maybe learn something new and help a great Indigenous charity at the same time.
So, to conclude, I hope you take the opportunities on offer during NAIDOC week, both within DFAT, and outside, to celebrate not just the survival of Indigenous culture but also the ongoing contribution and role Indigenous Australians play in Australian society.
Thank you.