First Nations people are leading transformational change and can close the gap through self-determined operations, a new report has found.
Speaking after the release of the Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe (Children's Ground Central Australia) Evaluation Report – 2020-2022, Central Australian organisation Children's Ground said a "new generation of children were engaged in early learning, families are engaged in employment and people across all ages are engaging in critical health promotion".
The organisation says their approach focuses on "outcomes to achieve long-term sustained change, so that children, families and whole communities can thrive".
From 2020-22, there was a 57 per cent increase in the number of children aged 0-5 years engaging in early years learning, the report found.
Furthermore, there was a 111 per cent increase in the number of people engaged in cultural learning and wellbeing across Children's Ground communities, and an 84 per cent increase in the number of people engaged in First Nations community and regional governance and decision-making.
"This research is transformative," Children's Ground chair, William Tilmouth, said.
"We continue to demonstrate that programs instigated and driven by First Nations communities lead to positive outcomes."
Mr Tilmouth said "hundreds more children" were now accessing health, education, and wellbeing opportunities, whilst adults were retaining employment.
"At the child, family and community level, people's lives are changing," Mr Tilmouth said.
"You see their confidence and their sense of responsibility grow. People feel empowered, and they want to maintain and share that feeling."
Children's Ground approach focuses on four communities: Irrkerlantye (Whitegate Town Camp), Mpweringke Anapipe (Homelands North of Alice Springs), Yarrenyty Arltere (Larapinta Valley Town Camp) and Uyenpere Atwatye (Hidden Valley Town Camp).
The evaluation prioritises data and evaluation sovereignty, with data being undertaken by both western and First Nations evaluators.
"This is an example of leading practice that should be implemented across all service and program delivery for First Nations and non-First Nations initiatives," the evaluators said.
The report found child engagement in nutrition nearly doubled, with a 98 per cent increase from 228 in 2017-2019 to 452 in 2020-2022, whilst 83 local First Nations people were employed between 2020-2022—41 per cent more than between 2017-2019.
121 First Nations people engaged in training and professional development between 2020- 2022.
Over 1,400 people engaged with Children's Ground from 2020-2022, an increase from 978 in 2017-2019.
First Nations community researcher, Veronica Doolan, said there was "so much power" in the report.
"As First Nations researchers we are engaging our own communities and working alongside them to document positive changes and on-going challenges," she said.
"It's not someone from the outside telling us what's good or bad, and making decisions on our behalf. This is First Nations data sovereignty in practice.
"We're empowered to research and report the facts about ourselves, and then use this information in ways that's appropriate for us. We're excited for the changes this could lead in our communities."
Despite the growth and long-term evidence base, Children's Ground said they have been unable to secure adequate and stable, long-term government funding.
Chief executive Jane Vadiveloo said all political parties needed to take "bold action" to address the "serious realities faced by First Nations communities in Australia".
"The evidence that this approach works is undeniable," she said.
"It's clear in the transformation we are seeing in communities and in the recognition, we receive from independent researchers and practitioners."
Ms Vadiveloo said she invited government to "engage with this report" and to commit to a "bold and lasting partnership".
"Through funding and policy reform we can achieve real and impactful systems reform that will change the future for First Nations children and young people," Ms Vadiveloo said.
