Conference presentation
Listening to Children Re-imagining Care: Indigenous Futures in Therapeutic Residential Care
pp.1-125
Indigenous Futures Centre
Indigenous futures unbound: Reimagining Indigenous futures through knowledge and praxis (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 04/11/2025–07/11/2025)
06/11/2025
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Our research is deeply aligned with the core themes of Indigenous sovereignty, thrivance, and relational, Indigenous-led praxis. Grounded in community and guided by the
lived experiences of 16 First Nations young people in Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC), this study contributes to the reimagining of care systems that honour cultural
authority, nurture relational bonds, and support future generations to thrive. The young people in this study shared what works in TRC, relational practice, cultural
connection, and genuine care and named what continues to harm: disconnection from family, instability, and being silenced within systems not built for them. Their calls
for connection, culture, stability, and voice are not aspirational; they are basic rights. Yet these remain unmet due to systemic neglect and the continued dominance of
procedural, non-Indigenous models of care. This presentation highlights the urgent need to move from rhetoric to reality: to centre Indigenous-led care, elevate kinship
carers (particularly grandmothers), and reform TRC through a relational praxis grounded in listening, accountability, and cultural truth. In doing so, we respond directly to
the call for Indigenous futures built on self-determination, care for all relations, and the flourishing of our nations.
Details
- Title
- Listening to Children Re-imagining Care: Indigenous Futures in Therapeutic Residential Care
- Creators
- Kylie Day Dr - Southern Cross UniversityLynne McPherson - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- pp.1-125
- Conference
- Indigenous futures unbound: Reimagining Indigenous futures through knowledge and praxis (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 04/11/2025–07/11/2025)
- Publisher
- Indigenous Futures Centre
- Identifiers
- 991013330226902368
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Teaching and Learning; Centre for Children and Young People; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Social Work; Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation