Government’s new cultural policy ‘puts First Nations first’

The federal government’s new cultural policy, Revive, is a five-year, $286 million plan to renew and Australia’s arts, entertainment, and cultural sector.

A new body, Creative Australia will be formed, which will include four smaller bodies, including a new First Nations-led body that will give First Nations people control of their decisions and investments.

The Revive policy is based on five pillars: 1. First Nations First; 2. A Place for Every Story; 3. Centrality of the Artist; 4. Strong Cultural Infrastructure; 5. Engaging the Audience.

The government’s cultural policy in relations to First Nations communities also includes:

• Introducing legislation to protect First Nations knowledge and cultural expressions, including the harm caused by fake art

• Developing a First Nations creative workforce strategy

• Funding the establishment of a National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs and an Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth

• Providing $11 million to establish a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between First Nations representatives and Australian governments.

First Nations Media Australia CEO Professor Shane Hearn has welcomed the range of measures to strengthen and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and languages, particularly through the use of First Nations media.

Professor Hearn also welcomed the Federal government ’s promise of “$3.8 million to digitise at-risk First Nations cultural material”.

“First Nations Media Australia, working alongside AIATSIS, is at the forefront of digitising and archiving.

“This will protect, preserve and enhance our stories, songs, sport, recorded over the last few decades on audio and video cassettes, for future generations to enjoy. This protects our ongoing history”.

First Nations Media Australia also welcomes the cultural policy outlining several measures to preserve and strengthen First Nations languages.

They include:

• Provide $11.0 million to establish a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between First Nations representatives and Australian governments to improve outcomes for First Nations people

• Develop a National Action Plan that identifies priority areas that will preserve and safeguard First Nations languages, as part of the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032

“I look forward to seeing these women serve in the judiciary with distinction and hope they inspire other Aboriginal people either working in or considering a career in the law, to follow in their footsteps. It means also that young Aboriginal people who are considering their options and considering future careers will look to people who have these sorts of roles and say, I can do that as well.”

Kaurna Elder and Nunga Court founding member Yvonne Agius also sees this step as progress.

“I wish there were many more taking over, because it’s about time,” she said. “I’m 80 years of age, and this is the first time I’ve seen this, and so I’ll be looking forward to more joining up in the system.”

“First Nations media, starting with printed newsletters in the early 70s right through to the many media organisations we have today, has shared the stories of our culture, artists and achievements and I welcome the federal government’s acknowledgement of this with the latest cultural policy,” Professor Hearn says.

“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media organisations and story tellers must be supported as we are best placed to tell our stories.

“The acknowledgement that our media organisations also played a significant role delivering messages vital to communities about the recent natural disasters and COVID-19 pandemic is also welcome.

• Continue support for First Nations people to express, preserve and maintain their culture through languages and the arts, under the Indigenous Languages and Arts program.

First Nations Creative Workforce Development Strategy

First Nations Media Australia welcomes the federal government’s recognition of the need for a First Nations Creative Workforce Development Strategy.

You can view the federal government’s cultural policy, Revive here: https://www.arts.gov.au/what-wedo/national-cultural-policy