Welcoming Our Little Ones: What is this guide about?

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This guide was written by and for families with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

It shares some stories to support families to raise healthy and grounded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

It is made up from shared stories from many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

No matter where you live or where you are at on your cultural journey, if an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child is part of your family, you may find this guide helpful.

You don’t need to read the whole guide start to finish, just read the bits that suit you best right now.

Ancient wisdom

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have ancient wisdom in parenting that has been passed down since the Dreamtime. This parenting wisdom is held deeply within us, and we can tap into it.

Our children are sacred. They are celebrated and delighted in, and often cared for by grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles, siblings, cousins and other kin.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads matter

Dads play an important role in parenting. This traditional role includes teaching responsibilities, caring for Country and cultural knowledge. This is on top of the modern-day responsibilities of being a supportive partner, nurturing and providing for family.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, their role as parents and caregivers has been changed through colonisation.

Dads may wish to reach out for support to understand their new role in the family as they think about how to best support their partner and baby.

Information for dads is woven throughout this guide, or you can read all the dads information in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads matter.

You might also like to check out some guidance from Aboriginal dads in the video Rebuilding our shields: Sharing the stories of deadly dads.

Non-Indigenous parents

This guide is also for you if are a non-Indigenous parent with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child. As a non-Indigenous parent, you can’t teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, but you can still support it and help your child feel proud of their identity.

Many non-Indigenous parents with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander partners get to enjoy learning about culture with their child. They can play an important role by reaching out to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their partner’s family and Community to help their child learn about their culture.

They can also encourage their kids to yarn with their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander aunties, uncles and Elders to strengthen their identity.

And as a child’s identity comes from both parents, they can teach their child about the identity of their non-Indigenous family as well.

Are you a practitioner?

Check out the free online course Replanting the Birthing Trees: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children in the first 2,000 days.

For workers to complete with families

Helpful services can sometimes be difficult for families to find and connect to. It is important that families have information (including on complaint processes) to help them navigate services.

This form is for workers to fill in with families about the service they are using and other local services available.