Thread by @CroakeyNews

Set to watch the @closethegapOZ livestream #CloseTheGapDay - (watch here sydneylivestream.com.au/national-close…)

Heres the link to the 2023 Close the Gap report: Strong Culture, Strong Youth: Our Legacy Our Future”

closethegap.org.au/ctg-annual-rep…

"Our stories will be told because our stories are held in the hearts and memories of our Elders: Welcome to Country fromLa Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council

Joanne Grant @ahmrc: honoured to host the #CloseTheGapDay event in Sydney: @NACCHOAustralia affiliate, member @coalition_peaks, signatory to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Joanne Grant: We've come a long way since Tom Calma's original Close the Gap report: in NSW we face a grim picture, less than quarter of targets tracking well, but hope to see the systematic reform is undertaken, with urgency and innovation. #CloseTheGapDay

Karl Brisco, CEO @NAATSIHWP & co-chair @closethegapOZ now speaking (here's @NAATSIHWP statement naatsihwp.org.au/sites/default/…

This is the first in-person event for @closethegapOZ since COVID. Karl Briscoe says @June_Oscar not able to be here due to international commitments. This year's report been produced by @arabena - read it here closethegap.org.au/ctg-annual-rep…

Karl Briscoe says the 2023 Close the Gap report is focused on children/youth: "We want them to have opportunity, care, leadership and community, to decide their aspirations & dreams. We want to nurture their spirit, share sacred knowledges, cherish the wisdom passed on."

Culture is a protective factor. All of these cultural determinants play a vital role in achieving long term outcomes for our people. Karl Briscoe #CloseTheGap

Re Voice: @closethegapOZ has called for full implementation @ulurustatement - "we understand structural reform is necessary if we ever hope to close the gap." He talks of pride if yes vote succeeds, to enable future generations to inform/ direct policies affecting them: Briscoe

Karl Briscoe urges a simple formula: Value our culture, engage our leadership, share the power and let us lead the decisions about matters that affect us. #CloseTheGap

Powerful speech from @bridget_cama: Delegates to the Uluru Statement spoke of voicelessness and powerless. Uluru Statement is an invitation from First Nations people to all Australians to walk with us for a better future.

Uluru Statement sets out a pathway to deal with unfinished business. "Our ancient sovereignty will shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood", says @bridget_cama who says the process of its development is a critical act of self-determination #CloseTheGap

Voice will inform laws, policies and decisions: it is about addressing disadvantage and working to #CloseTheGap - will apply accountability. Process has been a show of resilience: "Everytime we got told by politicians 'no', we turned it into a 'yes'," says @bridget_cama

Uluru Statement and Regional Dialogues were selfless and focused on young people. The Statement talks of the crisis of over incarceration and removal from families and asserts, “when we have power over our destiny our people will flourish.” @bridget_cama

. @bridget_cama wants future generations to have a future "where their cultures are not only a key part of who they are and their wellbeing but are valued and celebrated as a key part of who we are as a nation. History is calling."

"Kinship is a huge part of our culture....you really feel the difference in our school". Now hearing about the amazing work of Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School - staff all staying back after lessons to learn Language #CloseTheGap giinganaschool.org.au

Gumbaynggirr Language embedded in every learning area, children getting the values, philosophies, stories of culture in all they do. Country is our classroom: Principal Alanah Jack

Immersion class:

“Nathan Brennan: "We see Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School as the future of education of our people in NSW: if we’re serious about passing on our culture and our Language, we’ll see that community controlled education start to come to the forefront.”

It's still early days, but you can see the difference in our kids. The evidence is right in front of you. Attendance rate tells us our kids are happy, they like coming to school, it’s a safe space: Alanah Jack #CloseTheGap

Naomi Wenitong talking about the need for Naytive Mentorship, part of @DIYDGmob - she shouts out to her dad @WWeno7 ("a musician first, before a doctor"). "As a teenager, he didn't sugar coat it for me."

"We witness everyday beautiful acts of community and of love." Layla @DIYDGmob

In Cairns, two thirds of programs are in crisis not prevention. Imagine what we could do if all programs came out community led and preventative. Just surviving isn't thriving. #CloseTheGap

Panel discussion now: have to close our live tweet now but hope to report back

Apologies that much earlier tweet had wrong handle for @KerryArabena - whose Karabena Consulting has produced this years #CloseTheGap report

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