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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/04/five-questions-to-paul-dutton-on-children-in-australias-care-system

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Five questions to Paul Dutton: on children in Australia's care system Five questions to Paul Dutton: on children in Australia's care system
(5 months later)
Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.
Tell us about yourselfTell us about yourself
I am a Wiimiptja of the Barkindji nation of I am a Wiimiptja of the Barkindji nation of far western NSW, born in Broken Hill.
far western NSW, born in Broken Hill. I was taken away from my mother as a two months old, along with my next oldest brother and sister, whilst the older siblings stayed with my grandparents who lived in humpies on the Darling River at Wilcannia. I grew up in Liverpool, NSW where I lived with my non-Aboriginal family until I was about 21 years old.
I was taken away from my mother as a two I’ve worked many, many jobs: emptying garbage, fire marshalling at Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, public service (including stints in immigration, NSW housing and community services and now, at the Aboriginal child, family and community care state secretariat, advocating for Aboriginal NGOs caring for our children in child protection and out of home care systems).
months old, along with my next oldest brother and sister, whilst the older siblings I’m working specifically on developing a culturally appropriate family group conferencing model to work with our families.
stayed with my grandparents who lived in humpies on the Darling River at What do you plan on talking about on IndigenousX this week?
Wilcannia. I grew up in Liverpool, NSW where I lived I’ll talk on anything that catches my fancy; I’m interested in climate change and wanting to see development of better techniques to support all Australians to live sustainably in the climates we are currently experiencing and could experience into the future.
with my non-Aboriginal family until I was about 21 years old. Next week I will also travel back to Wilcannia and Broken Hill, so will talk of country, connections, and post pictures.
I’ve worked many, many jobs: emptying What issue(s) affecting Indigenous peoples are you most passionate about?
garbage, fire marshalling at Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, public I am especially passionate about our children in care and justice systems – detention and removal are unfortunately the current norms of operation within each system.
service (including stints in immigration, NSW housing and community services and now, at the Aboriginal child, family and community care state I also believe in a diverse education and learning systems where students are actively supported in learning from one another – from Australia’s many cultures and that of the world. Through knowledge and history we shape the future, teaching tolerance through actions to our children, family, community and future generations.
secretariat, advocating for Aboriginal NGOs caring for our children in Who are your role models, and why?
child protection and out of home care systems). My grandfather, George Dutton, leads the way: I would love to follow in his footsteps of knowledge when it comes to country and culture. I also believe that everyone we have even the smallest contact with in our lives is able to impart knowledge to us. I believe there is something to learn for everyone.
I’m working specifically What are your hopes for the future?
on developing a culturally appropriate family group conferencing model to work My hope for the future is to connect with the past, to be culturally knowledgeable and be able to pass that to family, as each generation has done in the past.
with our families. I dearly hope that Australia finally adopts best practice in the education, justice, housing and other systems I’ve already mentioned. I hope that our kids will enjoy a life that is free from harm, harassment, hate and intimidation, and hope for a tolerant, respectful, accepting of others country that leads the world when it comes to innovation and environmental sciences, so that we can heal the land we are all from.
What do you
plan on talking about on IndigenousX this week?
I’ll talk on anything that catches my fancy; I’m interested in climate change and
wanting to see development of better techniques to support all Australians to
live sustainably in the climates we are currently experiencing and could
experience into the future.
Next week I will also travel back to
Wilcannia and Broken Hill, so will talk of country, connections, and post
pictures.
What
issue(s) affecting Indigenous peoples are you most passionate about?
I am especially passionate about our
children in care and justice systems – detention and removal are unfortunately the current norms of operation within each system.
I also believe in a diverse education and
learning systems where students are actively supported in learning from one
another – from Australia’s many cultures and that of the world. Through
knowledge and history we shape the future, teaching tolerance through actions
to our children, family, community and future generations.
Who are
your role models, and why?
My grandfather, George Dutton, leads the way: I would love to follow in his footsteps of knowledge when it comes to country
and culture. I also believe that everyone we have even
the smallest contact with in our lives is able to impart knowledge to us. I
believe there is something to learn for everyone.
What are
your hopes for the future?
My hope for the future is to connect with the
past, to be culturally knowledgeable and be able to pass that to family, as each generation has done in the past.
I dearly hope that Australia finally adopts best practice in the education, justice, housing and other systems I’ve already mentioned. I hope that our kids will enjoy a life that is free
from harm, harassment, hate and intimidation, and hope for a tolerant,
respectful, accepting of others country that leads the world when it comes to innovation and
environmental sciences, so that we can heal the land we are all from.