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Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Community Insights
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Children

1 year–14 years

Wellbeing

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, good health is more than just the absence of disease or illness; it is a holistic concept. This section outlines the positive and negative factors that contribute to the wellbeing of Indigenous children.

Culture

In 2014–15 among Indigenous children aged 5–14:

  • 52% (81,600) identified with a clan, tribal or language group.
  • 77% (121,400) were involved in cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in the last 12 months.
  • 53% (84,200) recognised homeland or traditional country (Figure CH 2).
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In 2014–15, 29% (46,100) of Indigenous children aged 5–14, spent one or more days with community elders.

Indigenous children living in remote areas (52% or 16,100) were more likely to spend one or more days a week with community elders than those living in non-remote areas (24% or 30,200) (Figure CH 3).

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Language

In 2016, among Indigenous children aged 1–14:

  • 9% (18,041) spoke an Indigenous language at home.
  • 63% (9,695) of Indigenous children living in the Northern Territory spoke an Indigenous language at home.
  • 47% (15,398) living in remote areas spoke an Indigenous language at home, compared to 2% (2,624) in non-remote areas (Figure CH 4).
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In 2014–15, among Indigenous children aged 5–14:

  • 11% (17,700) spoke an Indigenous language.
  • 12% (19,300) understood an Indigenous language.
  • 20% (31,700) were learning an Indigenous language (Figure CH 5).
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Stressors

In 2014–15, among Indigenous children aged 5–14:

  • 69% (108,700) experienced one or more personal stressors in the last 12 months.
  • Common stressors experienced included the death of a close family friend or family member (26% or 40,900) and problems keeping up with school work (25% or 39,600) (Figure CH 6).
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Racism and unfair treatment

In 2014–15, among Indigenous children aged 5–14:

  • 6% (9,400) experienced unfair treatment at current school due to being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • 38% (56,200) had been bullied at their current school (Figure CH 7).
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