• Download Media release 19 July 2010

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) will hold the largest ever national conference on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at the Alice Springs Convention Centre next week from 27 to 29 July.

“Nearly 1000 delegates from across the country will come together and put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at centre stage,” Ms Lisa Coulson, SNAICC National Executive member and Conference Convenor, said today. “This will be an exciting time of discussion, exchange and learning for all the representatives of children and family services attending the conference.”

An exciting line-up of international and Australian speakers will raise issues of pressing importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.

Ms Coulson said, “Key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the areas of education, health, welfare, well being and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will present keynote speeches, including Mr Grant Sarra, Ms Karen Martin, Ms Kerrie Tim and Ms Rosalie Kunoth-Monks.”

“We are also pleased to welcome our other keynote speakers Dr Dorothy Scott and international guests from Canada and the United States, Ms Cindy Blackstock and Professor Joseph Sparling who will be sharing their expertise and knowledge in child welfare and education outcomes for Indigenous children in their countries,” Ms Coulson said.

“The Conference, under the theme ‘Ampe Anwerenkenheke – For Our Children’, is an opportunity for delegates to make renewed commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,” Ms Coulson said.

Amongst those attending the conference will be delegates from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-run child and family welfare and early childhood services. Many will be travelling far from community-run services in remote areas of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia.

SNAICC is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. Our last National Conference was in 2007.

SNAICC is proud to acknowledge our sponsors, the Northern Territory Government, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the NSW Department of Human Services Aboriginal Affairs NSW, the NSW Department of Education and Training, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Victoria, the Department of Education and Children’s Services SA, the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, World Vision Australia, Life Without Barriers, the National Indigenous Times, Warlpiri Education and Training Trust, Scene Change and Relationships Australia.

Download Final Program - SNAICC Conference 2010 [PDF 3MB]

For enquiries or to seek comment from Ms Lisa Coulson or keynote speakers: Felicity Hopkins, SNAICC Manager Policy and Research: 03 9489 8099 or mob: 0404 874 079