The journey from intergenerational inequity to intergenerational opportunity is a long one, but First Nations not-for-profit Children’s Ground is leading the way.

The First Nations-led organisation has mapped out a whole-of-community approach as part of a 25-year plan that begins before children are even born.

“The Children’s Ground Approach’s 25-year strategy speaks to the amount of time and dedicated investment it takes to break the cycles of economic, social and cultural disempowerment and exclusion,” says Arrernte man and Children’s Ground Chair William Tilmouth.

It is directed and delivered by First Nations people with a focus on prevention, early intervention, and empowerment rather than the typical narrative of crisis and deficit. Children’s Ground operations commenced in Central Australia in 2017 with three communities and currently operates in five communities in Central Australia, four communities in the Darwin region, and one community in West Arnhem.

“After six years of delivery and evaluation in Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe (Children’s Ground Central Australia), there is now a consistent experience of culturally-centred early childhood, nutrition, health and wellbeing promotion and environments where local community are the key decision makers and where children now see local family members employed routinely.”

A key part of this success is self-determination. First Nations’ systems of knowledge are at the core, intertwined with Western knowledge, ensuring children are placed in the best position to succeed.

It is an approach exemplified in education, which is at the heart of Children’s Ground’s integrated approach. First Nations children often either have no access to early years services or education while western services are often not culturally safe and can be damaging.

“The Children’s Ground Learning and Wellbeing approach centres First Nations epistemology and pedagogy and recognises these as leading practice and the oldest system of education in the world,” Tilmouth says.

“Cultural knowledge systems and identity are the foundations for success in a child’s learning journey. Learning is seen as a life journey for each child, in the context of their families, their communities and broader society.”

Ferdi Hepworth who manages the program at Equity Trustees, says Children’s Ground is a great example of what the Equity & Empowerment program can achieve.

“Children’s Ground is a fantastic initiative which Equity Trustees helps fund and then we just get out of the way and let them do their work.”

Children’s Ground received $250,000 in core funding from seven trusts managed within Equity Trustees’ Equity & Empowerment program.