The Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory—APO NT—is an alliance comprising the Aboriginal Medical Service Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Central Land Council (CLC), Northern Land Council (NLC), Tiwi Land Council (TLC), Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), Aboriginal Housing NT (AHNT) and the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NT IBN).
The alliance was created to provide a more effective response to key issues of joint interest and concern affecting Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, including providing practical policy solutions to government.
APO NT is committed to increasing Aboriginal involvement in policy development and implementation, and to expanding opportunities for Aboriginal community control.
APO NT seeks to strengthen networks between peak and regional Aboriginal organisations and smaller locally-based organisations in the Northern Territory.
Aboriginal Education Steering Committee
Committee members (L-R) Tameka McMasters, Dale Hillen, Jocelyn Uibo, Fiona Gibson, Sharon Anderson, Angela Ross, APO NT Convenor Dr John Paterson, Hamilton Morris, Garth Doolan, Joesph Diddo
The newly formed Aboriginal Education Steering Committee met in Darwin for the first time on the 28th & 29th June 2023. Leaders from across the Northern Territory came together to begin the important work of establishing an independent body to give Aboriginal people a voice regarding education.
Dr John Paterson, APO NT Convenor and Acting CEO of NAAJA welcomed the group. He gave words of hope and encouragement to the committee. Dr Paterson was clear that “we are not advising governments, we are experts.” Aboriginal people have done enough advising, it is time that Aboriginal people are truly heard and given the appropriate place at the table to make decisions.
Over the course of 2 days, the committee reflected on the education experiences of families and educators and identified key priority areas for reform. The group started developing standards to support schools to become culturally safe, a set of statements about children and families’ education rights, as well as progressing engagement with key groups across the Northern Territory such as Aboriginal Teaching Assistants and young people.
The committee have a clear vision for education. It is not just about what happens at school, it is an opportunity for “Reconnecting to song lines, knowing who we are, where we come from and where we are going.” Learning is lifelong, from birth to elderly and therefore this will be the focus for this committee.
With such expert leadership, the future for all children and young people’s education is looking bright.
Theresa Roe – APO NT Secretariate Coordinator, presenting to the steering committee
Committee members – Jocelyn Uibo and Dale Hillen