Indigenous Policy Projects
At the Jumbunna Institute Policy Hub, we work on campaigns, projects, and cases that consolidate our diverse skills and expertise towards a common goal.
We work from one guiding principle — that our work should be driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and contribute to their strength, sustainability and wellbeing.
We focus on work that combines our strengths to make genuine impact and change in Australia and internationally.
We have a five-point plan for impact in the Indigenous policy space:
- Act as advocates for the empowerment, aspiration and interests of Indigenous communities through the formation, implementation and evaluation of policy for those nations, and for governments and community organisations.
- Conduct proactive research into acute and long-term policy and legal issues with Indigenous nations, institutions and community partners.
- Generate capability-building revenue for the Jumbunna Institute by completing contract work in line with our values, capacity and mandate for impact.
- Influence Indigenous policy affairs at all levels of Australian government in the general and regionally-specific interests of Indigenous nations and communities.
- Work as an independent research arm available to Indigenous nations, institutions and communities.
Research Projects
Anti-racism laureate
This project, led by Professor Lindon Coombes and team, will look at approaches to ameliorate the effects of racism on First Nations peoples. A project plan has been written to step out the key milestones for the work, including through an international journal on decolonising legal systems, a stocktake of the achievements of the Racial Discrimination Act over the past 50 years and options to promote First Nations models of law and justice.
NSWDAA
Professors Rigney, Behrendt and Coombes and the Jumbunna team have been providing key support to
the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on their commitment to progress treaty in NSW. The team
drafted a discussion paper for AANSW on what the path to treaty would look like in NSW, the progress
in other states and territories and key considerations. The team continues to meet regularly with AANSW regarding next steps.
GO Foundation Scholarship Program
Research Project
The Goodes OʼLoughlin (GO) Foundation and the Jumbunna Institute have continued their strategic research and evaluation partnership, initiated in early 2021, throughout 2023. The GO Foundation provides an Indigenous studentʼs Scholarship Program, which aims to strengthen participantsʼ cultural identity, build their aspirations for further education and provide access to work, study and life opportunities. Building on their previous collaboration with GO to design an impact evaluation framework for the Scholarship Program, the Jumbunna team of Professor Lindon Coombes, Dr Tracy Barber and Josh Gilbert is undertaking new research to identify Program impact upon student participants, as well as its impact upon their families and communities.
Evaluation of the Yanalangami:
Strong women, Strong Communities
Program
The Yanalangami Program, delivered by Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, aims to connect Indigenous women and strengthen their networks within a culturally safe and supportive community, grow participantsʼ personal and professional leadership skills to enact sustainable, community-led change and amplify Changemakersʼ stories, aspirations and methods for change. At the invitation of Tranby, the Jumbunna team of Professor Lindon Coombes, Dr Tracy Barber, and Alison Whittaker is undertaking evaluation to determine the effectiveness and impact of the Yanalangami Program to achieve its aims.
ARC Discovery Project – The Policy of Self-Determination: The Case Study of ATSIC
The project has generated a lot of interest given how timely the issue of representation has been. The research team comprises Professor Lindon Coombes, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor Daryle Rigney, Dr Kristen Thorpe and Dr Alison Holland. Mandy Price is project managing. A Steering Committee has been established, led by Aunty Pat Turner AO, has met twice. Dr Paddy Gibson has filled the Post-Doctoral position, and a PhD has been recruited in, Shane Hoffman, who is awaiting confirmation of acceptance. A roundtable was held on 19 October 2023 as a first opportunity to hear from former ATSIC staff and elected representatives about what the project should focus on going forward. It is anticipated that the first publications will come out, the digital archive platform will be established and that the recording of oral histories will begin.
ARC Laureate Fellowship: A First Nations Approach to Decolonising Colonial Institutions
Kicking off in mid-2023, the Laureate has established its four fields:
- Child Protection – led by Dr Paul Gray
- Anti-Racism – led by Professor Lindon Coombes
- Legal Education – led by Professor Marcelle Burns and Associate Professor Nicole Watson
- Coronial Processes – led by Professor Craig Longman
Project managed by Missi Mel Pesa, key personnel have been recruited, including Post Doctoral Fellows and PhD students. In addition, the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fellowship is being led by Professor Juanita Sherwood and Gemma Sentence. They have held several events which have brought First Nations women and non-binary together for professional development and cultural activities.
ARC – Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures
With Gio deSantolo and Jai McAllister, Professor Larissa Behrendt collaborated with the Healing Foundation, to record a series of life stories of members of the stolen generations. Eight stories were filmed and edited in collaboration with the participants.
