HOW WE DO IT
First Nations Engagement
The Constellation Project is committed to pursuing the housing needs and interests of First Nations peoples and having their insights cut across all of our efforts.
First Nations voices are critical in developing housing and homelessness solutions, as they are best placed to provide critical insights into the challenges and opportunities they face at an individual and systemic level.
Aside from having a say on the policies and practices that impact them, this is also crucial to redress:
- The overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people amongst Australia’s homeless population;
- That housing solutions within the marketplace are not necessarily suitable or specific to the size and configuration of First Nations families and First Nations housing may not be culturally appropriate; and
- Inequitable access to or choice in housing for First Nations people, when compared to non-Indigenous populations within Australia.
Our Approach
Constellation has had First Nations leadership and involvement since inception.
Our approach to First Nations engagement has continued to evolve and adapt with conscious consideration of the capacity and needs of First Nations peoples, and through ongoing consultation and guidance from First Nations voices. We have developed relationships with with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, community members and organisations and reach out through those networks to engage with people and communities with the relevant insights and expertise to guide us on specific areas of work.
First Nations Leadership Team (FNLT):
A FNLT was formed and comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing specialists from across Australia. This team was formed to guide our approach, provide oversight and cultural authority to our work, and ensure the project is informed by, and inclusive of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
This team was invaluable in forming key elements of our approach and work. An ongoing challenge has been to manage the availability and capacity of such a senior group of representatives, so the FNLT is not currently operational. Members and partners are brought in to advise of specific projects as needed.
Representation on our Governance Group and Board:
Ivan Simon was a First Nations representative in the first Governance Group, and, at the time, was Co-Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Authority.
In 2021, a new skills based board was established to direct Constellation after it became an independent entity. With advice from the FNLT, included an identified role for both a male and female First Nations representative
First Nations social lab team:
In 2019, the Constellation Project convened a First Nations social lab team to address First Nations housing needs. First Nations leaders in the team highlighted the need for two focus areas:
- Progressing the right solutions to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are homeless or in unsuitable housing. The First Nations Elder Village was identified as critical for aging in place for older people.
- Advocating that any increase to housing supply is proportionate to the problem – If First Nations people represent 14% of the homelessness statistics, then 14% of new housing opportunities must be allocated to First Nations families. We call this work our First Nations Mandate.
First Nations mandate:
Advocating that any increase to housing supply is proportionate to the problem.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians should be considered in the development of any solutions to address the shortfall in housing supply in Australia. In advocating to decision makers including governments, access to housing should be at a volume that is commensurate with the over-representation in homelessness and housing stress statistics.
Our
Principles
The following principles also guide how we approach our work
In 2021, the FNLT endorsed the project’s strategic principles, which included “Privileging First Nations Voices”. This principle focuses on allowing the voice of First Nations people to be the underpinning cornerstone of conversation – “nothing about us without us”.
In respect to First Nations engagement, the following principles are included in how we approach our work:
- First Nations knowledge and perspectives are critical to achieving our vision
- We value lived experience and First Nations voices and place them at the centre of our work
- Our First Nations projects are led by First Nations people
First Nations Inclusion Principles:
In 2021, First Nations participants developed a set of principles to inform how we create a culturally safe environment for the Better Journeys social lab.
A model
of practice
In July 2023, the Constellation Project brought together a group of local First Nation’s stakeholders with diverse lived and professional experience in systems change, homelessness, out of home care and juvenile detention. The following model was shared with this group to demonstrate how Constellation had engaged with First Nations knowledge and explore and understand what else would be needed to best consult with First Nations peoples. It serves as an example of the different ways that First Nations input and co-design cuts across our work.
Consultation process to date:
Advice on future First Nation's Engagement
