Indigenous Justice Conference

2024 Asia-Pacific Indigenous Juvenile Justice Conference

HILTON HOTEL CAIRNS QUEENSLAND

february 21-23, 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY

In Australia, the protocol is to recognise the Traditional Owners of the land to which we are gathering. Therefore, all presentations must begin with an acknowledgement to country and to local Traditional Elders: “We wish to acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we are to meet upon. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to Country. We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal peoples visiting / attending from other areas of Australia who are present here”.

Indigenous Conference Services acknowledges and pay our respect to the Traditional people of the Country. "Welcome to Country" ceremony and "acknowledging the traditional custodians" of the land shows respect for Aboriginal people as Australia's First Peoples. Ceremonies and protocols are a fundamental part of Aboriginal cultures.

THE CONFERENCE

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Indigenous Juvenile Justice Conference is scheduled to be held at Hilton Hotel in Cairns Queensland Australia on February 21-23, 2024 which brings together representatives from all levels of government, NGOs, innovators, leaders of the justice sector, judges, lawyers, Elders, community leaders, justice workers, researchers and policy makers as well as police and prison officers which has been formulated to emphasis initiatives designed to overcome the unequalled rates of First Peoples' incarceration and imprisonment. The conference will also highlight community-led solutions to disconnection of family and community. Throughout the breadth of the Asia-Pacific region, there are many innovative initiatives being developed, trialed or implemented based upon the principle of intervention rather than detention, especially with young offenders. The conference provides an opportunity for open and frank discussions and see how new research might assist policy-makers in developing more effective, more efficient and more equitable ways of managing crime and justice in Australia, New Zealand and other Asia-Pacific nations, especially in reducing First Nations people's incarceration.

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Indigenous Juvenile Justice Conference is an important event that brings together indigenous leaders and experts from across the region to discuss and address issues related to juvenile justice. The conference is held annually and provides a platform for First Nations communities to share their experiences and best practices in dealing with juvenile justice issues. This conference is critical in addressing the challenges faced by First Nations youth and in developing strategies to prevent them from entering the criminal justice system. One of the key topics of discussion at the conference is the over-representation of First Nations youth in the criminal justice system. This is a serious problem in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where Indigenous youth are often disproportionately represented in juvenile detention centers. The conference brings together experts to discuss the underlying causes of this problem and to develop strategies to address it.

Another important topic of discussion at the conference is the role of traditional justice systems in addressing juvenile justice issues. Many First Nations communities have their own traditional justice systems that are based on their own cultural values and practices. These systems can be effective in addressing juvenile justice issues and can help to prevent First Nations youth from entering the criminal justice system. The conference provides an opportunity for First Nations communities to share their experiences and best practices in using traditional justice systems to address juvenile justice issues. The conference also focuses on the need to provide appropriate support and services to First Nations youth who are in the criminal justice system. This includes providing access to education, mental health services, and other supports that can help to address the underlying issues that led to their involvement in the criminal justice system. The conference provides an opportunity for experts and community leaders to discuss the best ways to provide these supports and services in a culturally appropriate and effective manner.

Since the arrival of Europeans, more and more emphasis has been placed on the law and how to reprimand individuals or groups who have stepped outside of the perception of the law. The backbone of the system is detention or incarceration. Prisons, jails and detention centres have continued to increase up to the present date; needless to say the inmate population has grown exponentially. Statistics show the imbalance of Indigenous inmates incarcerated far outweighs the norm within society. These unacceptable rates of Indigenous incarceration vary across all states and territories of Australia, whether it is adult men or women, juveniles, boys or girls. In 2016-2017, the Royal Commission highlighted many of the atrocities being perpetrated on Indigenous youth in custody within the Northern Territory. We should not be that naive to believe that incidents and behaviour could, and would be restricted to just the Territory.

The Conference takes the stand that the best way to stop incidents such as these being repeated is quite simple. Our society needs to develop better strategies and practices to stop First Nations peoples being incarcerated or removed from their families and communities. For it has been shown that once someone enters the justice system in incarceration, the harder it is to break the cycle of re-offending. It’s been nearly two and a half centuries since the arrival of Europeans and the question which needs to be asked is, "What did Indigenous communities do when it came to offenders who broke traditional law” As such, this conference will highlight and spotlight programs and initiatives that have been built upon the basis of 'prevention works better than detention'. Throughout the breadth of the country, there are many innovative initiatives being developed, trialed or implemented based upon the principle of Intervention rather than detention.

THE CONFERENCE PHILOSOPHY & BELIEFS

The philosophy that underpins the 2024 Asia-Pacific Indigenous Juvenile Justice Conference is centered around the idea of restorative justice, which emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior rather than punishing the offender. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of individuals and communities, and seeks to address the underlying causes of offending behavior while holding young people accountable for their actions.

In the context of indigenous juvenile justice, restorative justice could be seen as a way to honor and respect the cultural traditions and values of indigenous communities, which may prioritize healing and reconciliation over punishment. The conference explore ways to incorporate indigenous knowledge and practices into the juvenile justice system, in order to better serve the needs of young people and their communities.

Another key aspect of the conference philosophy is the importance of community involvement in the juvenile justice process. Indigenous communities may have unique cultural practices and support systems that can be leveraged to help prevent youth offending and support rehabilitation efforts. By engaging with community members, including elders and youth leaders, the juvenile justice system can be more responsive to the needs of young people and ensure that their rights are respected.

Finally, the conference emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership between different stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations. By working together, these groups can identify common goals and develop holistic approaches to juvenile justice that address the root causes of offending behavior and support positive outcomes for young people.

THE CONFERENCE AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The conference objectives are designed to empower and stimulate open and frank discussion through the sharing of traditional knowledge and strengths to overcome adversity and fosters partnerships between governments, service providers and First Nations communities. Its designed to empower and stimulate discussion in a positive manner that can and may be used back in our work environment to further develop strength, unity and education. Moreover, one of the most powerful objectives that Indigenous peoples have is the strength to overcome adversity through the power of sharing knowledge and therefore the conference will attempt to foster all of the issues set out in this conference.

Reduce First Nations youth incarcerations
Provide an open and frank forum for discussion
Lend support to individuals and families working in the Justice system
Help establish and grow a worldwide network and resources through information sharing
Show that there are great efforts being made to make change
Exchange information regarding the successes of community projects
To bring together all sectors of the community as a united voice to say there are alternatives to juvenile incarceration
Bring together researchers, service providers, government agencies, policy makers/developers & organisations
Networking and lend support to individuals and groups working in the justice system
To foster partnerships between Government, Service Providers, Community groups and individuals

THE CONFERENCE THEME

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Indigenous Juvenile Justice Conference main theme is "Empowering Indigenous Youth: Strengthening Community-based Approaches to Juvenile Justice." The conference focuses on the need for a more holistic and culturally sensitive approach to juvenile justice that takes into account the unique experiences and needs of Indigenous youth. It highlights the importance of community-based solutions that involve Indigenous communities and leaders in the decision-making process.

The conference also explores restorative justice, diversion programs, and other alternative approaches to juvenile justice that prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of Indigenous youth into their communities and examines the role of traditional knowledge, culture, and language in supporting the well-being of Indigenous youth and preventing their involvement in the justice system.

Furthermore, the conference emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration and partnership-building between government agencies, community organizations, and Indigenous leaders to create a more effective and equitable juvenile justice system and avenue to call for greater investment in education, mental health, and other social services that can help address the underlying factors that contribute to Indigenous youth overrepresentation in the justice system. The conference is not politically based. It should be seen as an opportunity to access information that is not readily available. The conference envisions that partnerships and working in unison should form the basis of stemming the unacceptable numbers of youth we find in our Justice system today.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Before European settlement and the introduction of foreign diseases, alcohol and other detriments, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture was vibrant and strong with spiritual and family lore that were guiding principles to a way of life that existed for centuries. It has now succumbed to bright lights and the trappings of modern day society.

Throughout the decades we have seen the erosion and destruction of our language, customs and spiritual well being. The dynamics of contemporary Australia showing seventy percent (70%) of Indigenous people live in an urban setting. A question we ask you to consider - What if Captain Cook didn’t land on the shore of the East Coast of Australia, but in a far more remote area? Would Australia’s east coast be what it is today?

The backbone of our existence is family, custom & spirituality. During group discussions we would like to explore past and present experiences, leading into future strategies & goals to empower our people in our communities. We believe that through sharing of experiences and knowledge, we become stronger as a collective. The opportunity to discuss juvenile justice issues in an open, transparent and culturally sensitive forum has become a vital networking source to develop collaborative approaches for the betterment of Indigenous peoples overall wellbeing.

CONFERENCE STATEMENT

Indigenous peoples, nationally and internationally, will come together in an environment that can lead to the sharing of information via their cultural and historical values. This conference is designed to inspire and enable Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples, services and other partners to take control, step up and take action to the next level, to ensure the rights and self determination of First Nations Peoples are upheld. To honour our Indigenous men, women, youth and the whole family – their strength and resilience – by listening to their stories and strategies, learning from their experiences and committing to systemic change to protect the rights of our children, families and cultures. To honour also the knowledge of our men, Elders and wisdom of our cultural responses, sharing successes and struggles to chart effective, evidence-informed ways forward. The conference provides a forum to discuss solutions by Indigenous peoples and to connect and acquire knowledge from each other to heal the spirit, heal the earth, and sustain cultural practices for this generation and for the future generations to come.

WHY ATTEND

This conference presents a unique opportunity for delegates to participate in a positive environment that is dedicated to the sharing of information and the empowering of all who attend. In our everyday working environment the day to day stresses of our positions tends to limit us in expanding our knowledge and networking. Whether you work at a community level or at governmental level the opportunity to network and gain contacts outside of your local region tend to be limited, this is why this conference will be so valuable to participants. Hence, all Indigenous people and non-indigenous people whether professional or community-based, who have a vested interest in combating Indigenous justice are invited to participate.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

· Indigenous Justice Workers and people working in juvenile justice

· Consultants / Legal Professionals

· Nurses / Doctors/ Psychiatrists, Police Officers, Social Workers and Police Officers

· Youth Workers, Domestic violence workers, Justice Workers

· Community groups

· Family relationship workers

· Community leaders

· Indigenous women and men’s groups

· Psychologists, Social Workers, NGOs

· Women groups, Human Rights Enthusiasts

· Government Representatives, Community Leaders

· Domestic Violence Field Workers, Teachers

YOUR INVITATION

We wish to invite Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from Australia and throughout, to attend the conference to share and gather information. We also extend an invitation to participants to join us at the conference dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. To ensure that delegates attend and participate fully in the conference experience, it is important to note that to show accountability of delegates in meeting their obligation; each delegate will receive a Certificate of Attendance only when they attend 85% of all the conference sessions. In addition at the end of the conference, delegates will receive a copy of all papers & presentations presented at the conference through Dropbox.

Who: Individuals, Groups, NGO’s, Government Agencies & Others

When: February 21-23, 2024

Where: Hilton Hotel Cairns QLD Australia

Time: 9.00am

WARNING: Limited availability. Please register online or contact us via email, should you have any further queries.

WHO ARE WE

Indigenous conference Services (Australia) is a privately owned, wholly self-funded Indigenous business which specialises in events and conferences. Even though we are a self funded enterprise, we come from grass roots backgrounds with a burning passion for social justice issues. As such, we seek to compliment the workings of community initiatives and organisations across a broad spectrum of Indigenous affairs. The events that we design seek not to have a political agenda, however to compliment local, state and national organisations. Indigenous Conference Services (Australia) seeks to employ local community members wherever possible and gives a strong undertaking to adhere to local customs and protocols.

CONFERENCE PARTNERS

Murri Sisters Assoc Inc is a non-profit community organisation that has been operating in the Brisbane area for the past 12 years. The organisation was established to provide support and short-term accommodation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children who are escaping domestic violence or who are a risk of homelessness. The organisation's vision is to become a leading agency in the provision of quality services for Indigenous women with children who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

As we are a not for profit enterprise, we are continually seeking to partner with organisations. ICS-MEES Pty Ltd is wholly Indigenous owned and over time has help establish Indigenous controlled organisations free of charge. Our next major project is to establish and develop a full Indigenous Children Services within the Wide Bay region. Our vision for the service is that it will be a stand-alone privately sponsored organisation in which the core values are the protection of our children through reducing the number of children entering the state-controlled child safety and care.

CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS STORIES

Come and celebrate First Nations people & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, strengths, successes and empowerment. To share First Nations peoples stories and ideas about what has worked for you or your community and how we address life’s challenges. This conference is blessed with the abundance of the highest calibre guest speakers from proud Indigenous peoples around the Australia.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING FOR THE EMPLOYER

As an employee we are asked to present valid reasons why we should attend. Listed below are valid points that can be raised with your employer to justify your attendance.

Staff attending conferences regularly tend to become long term employees
An event such as this adds to the positive moral of staff
Conferences are a great way of providing ongoing training
Provides the opportunity to further enhance the organisation knowledge base
The opportunity for saving organisations money because of the short duration of the event
Allows delegates to showcase the organisation nationally and internationally
May provide organisations with new ideas
Gives organisations a showcase and voice at a national level
Provide an opportunity to evaluate various programs
Because this event is conducted over a short period, staff are only absent for a minimal number of days

CALLING FOR PAPERS

(Invitation to submit abstracts for presentations and workshops)

Guidelines for Submitting Paper:

Papers should not contain offensive language and take in to account cultural sensitivities.
Papers may treat the themes in a manner that contributes to a further discussion of the conference aims.
Conference papers must be presented in the finish format not less 60 days prior to the event.
First round of call for papers is now closed.
Papers that are not chosen in the first round may be resubmitted if there is a second round.
Papers should be submitted in IBM and Microsoft Word format.
A Brief Outline of Paper (maximum 350 words online).
Author/s of papers presented at the conference will be formally notified acceptance.
Presentation time at the conference for your papers will be allowed a maximum of 45 minutes, this will include question and answer time.
Call for papers registration fee of $650 will apply to all persons submitting papers, payable upon acceptance of papers.
Papers should explore ways in which the themes show up in the philosophy of the conference.
A maximum of two presenters for each paper are eligible for the discounted call for papers registration fee. If 2 presenters, then 2 biographies are required. Two paragraphs outlining the proposed speaker’s Biography required.
All papers must be presented in a positive and informative light.
A Head and Shoulders photo of papers’ authors/presenters are required within 30 days of confirmation of acceptance of paper.
Authors agree to have their paper published as part of the conference proceedings.
Authors to agree to allow biography of themselves and their photo published as part of the conference promotion.
Authors agree to consent to media interviews, if required.
Authors and presenters must show due respect and acknowledgement to Traditional Owners. Hence, presentations and speech must begin with an “Acknowledgment To Country”.
The correct wording will be provided as part of your confirmation letter if chosen and successful in being accepted with due respects and acknowledgement to traditional owners of land where we will be convening.

TO SUBMIT A PAPER, COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM AT THIS LINK: SUBMIT-A-PAPER

EMPOWERING DELEGATES

The conference may or may not save you, or your organisation, time, money and manpower. However, one thing the event guarantees is the opportunity to enlarge your network and information base thus empowering delegates to make greater informed decisions.

2019 CONFERENCE AGENDA

(This agenda may change without prior notice to ensure a smooth flow of the conference proceedings on the day.)

DAY 1

8:30am Registration Registration of Delegates

8:45am Combined Session Master of Ceremony - Welcome & Safety Announcement

9:00am Welcome Address Welcome to Country & Traditional Performance

9:45am Combined Session Formal Opening of Conference

10:30am Morning Tea Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

11:00am Combined Session Understanding Domestic and Family Violence in First Nations communities

11:45am Combined Session Policing & Crime Prevention in Indigenous Communities

12:30pm Lunch Break Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

1:30pm Combined Session Widjiwa: to return, to come home to one's self

2:15pm Combined Session

3:00pm Afternoon Tea Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

3:30pm Combined Session 1800RESPECT

4:15pm Combined Session Koori Programs at Victorian Courts and Tribunals

5:00 PM YARNING CIRCLE Reflections of the Day

6.30pm Networking Dinner Networking Conference Dinner

DAY 2

8:30am Registration Registration of Delegates

9:00am Combined Session Managing Domestic Violence Disclosures in Schools

9:45am Combined Session Secret Traumas, Secret Shame - Institutional child sexual abuse Experiences

10:30am Morning Tea Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

11:00am Combined Session eft2 - Tapping into Relationship (TM) A pragmatic experiential protocol which gently and effectively tends to the trauma of relationship

11:45am Combined Session From a Survivor's Point of View

12:30pm Lunch Break Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

1:30pm Combined Session Stepping Stones to Resilience: How Domestic and Family Violence Affects Children

2:15pm Combined Session Support the Family - Improve the Outcome

3:00pm Afternoon Tea Network with Service Providers/Exhibitors

3:30pm Combined Session Hope Centred Justice and the Importance of Healing

4:15pm YARNING CIRCLE All Delegates, Speakers & Elders

DAY 3 (WEDNESDAY) POST- CONFERENCE WORKSHOP & MASTERCLASSES

The Gatekeeper Cultures and Spirituality - Interventionist to Suicide

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THIS MASTERCLASS, BECOME AN INTERVENTIONIST TO SUICIDE AND LEARN STRATEGIES IN MANAGING INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF SUICIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

Worrying about how your team, family and community effectively assist and manage clients experiencing intergenerational trauma? Indigenous peoples around the world endured several generations of trauma and other neurological effects and compromised behavioural immunity which leads to behavioural indicators such as substance-abuse and suicide. Our current generation is impacted by structural violence, poverty, racism, governmental neglect and ongoing hostilities, and unfortunately our mob have learned our lessons in traumatisation as well where in many situations, we have internalized the trauma imposed on ourselves and turned onto our own families, communities, and selves.

This one-day workshop will teach you:
 The strong benefits of recapturing and revitalizing our languages, cultures and spirituality
 Infuse our health care with what is known as trauma-informed care and become an interventionist to suicide
 Understand and utilise trauma-informed care to heal ourselves, our clients, and our communities.
 Strategies in managing clients and families affected by intergenerational trauma and break the cycle of suicide in our communities.

In Just One Day You Can Learn Strategies how to become an interventionist to suicide and work effectively with your clients who are experiencing inter-generational trauma and their families.

This workshop is composed of three parts: Trauma-Focused Care (1.50 Hour), Embrace Life: First People’s Paladins’ – Suicide Gatekeepers (1.50 Hour), Talking Circle: Discussion of Being a First Person’s suicide gatekeeper or ‘peer-interventionist’ (1.00 Hour)

The Gatekeeper Cultures and Spirituality - Interventionist to Suicide Workshop is strictly limited to 30 people only.
Workshop Cost is $330. Call or email us to register for this workshop.

THE PRESENTERS:

Dr. Joseph B. Stone, PhD, an Anasaki-pikuni ceremonialist and traditionalist and member of the OKKAN (Sundance), the Last Star Thunder Medicine Pipe and Beaver Lodge. He is a clinical psychologist and with his partner, Amber Logan, owner of Indigenous Development Specialists of Havelock North, New Zealand. Dr. Stone works at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – a Kaupapa Maori Health Provider; Awhina Whanu Family Services, and the Napier Family Centre all located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He has clinical experience with adult prisoners and corrections and juvenile justice in both New Zealand and USA. He is affiliated with the National Center on Trauma and Project Making Medicine – Indian Health Service Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse at Oklahoma State University. He has presented too and served as consultant to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs of Native Youth Suicide. Dr. Stone’s publications include articles on trauma, suicide, and other cultural / behavioural issues.

Dr. Amber R. Logan is a traditional Kahungunu Maori Wahine and a New Zealand Health Psychologist and Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at Otago University. She teaches health psychology course work at the University of Auckland and Otago University and is well-known in New Zealand for her work in Methamphetamine education and community activism. Amber Logan is a consummate grant writer, health services evaluator and health services program designer. She has presented extensively in Australia, Canada, and the USA at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and to the US Federal Government.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your seat for this exciting masterclass now! Limited registration for 30 people only. Cost is $330 per person.
For further information and details about our post-conference masterclasses, please click HERE

SPEAKERS PROFILE

CONFERENCE NETWORKING DINNER

As they say, all work and no play makes for a dull conference. To overcome this, the secretariat has organised a conference dinner to be held on the first night of the event. This dinner will give delegates the opportunity to further network while letting your hair down in an informal setting. The conference dinner will be at a ticket cost of $150 per person. Your ticket includes a 4 course meal. The conference dinner is additional to the conference fees and bookings must be made with our office prior to the event.

SHARING AND CARING

Furthermore, it has been proven time and time again that events such as this empower and reinvigorate workers with new ideas and with enthusiasm, with a greater feeling of support and contacts that may be utilised for the betterment of their own or local community. Whether you are an allied health professional, Indigenous health worker, medical professionals or in administrative clerical role within the organisation, this conference will provide excellent opportunities to gain and share information that will be of use to you back in your community. The opportunities that this Conference provides to people involved in Aboriginal Health is the sharing of knowledge and development of long term friendships/partnerships. This conference is basically designed from an Indigenous perspective in which we all lend support to each other regardless of our employers. With all this in mind, we invite you to actively participate in the upcoming event.

REGISTRATION

(Register early to get a discount!) Please note that registrations are set out in an affordable way for organisations, which changes on a monthly basis. So the earlier you register, the more savings for your organisation. Registration fees include all day access to the event, available conference papers, daily lunch and refreshments for registered delegates only. Fees do not include travel costs or accommodation. Registration fees are non-refundable and must be received within 7 DAYS from being issued an invoice. Otherwise, bookings will not be considered. To register, please click on the registration page and complete the form or you can also request for a conference brochure and the registration form to be sent to you by email at adminics@iinet.net.au

MONEY SAVING IDEAS

The event secretary has come up with some great ideas on how to save money for you and your organisation.

ACCOMMODATION: We have negotiated a special room rate for delegates at the Mercure Brisbane North Quay Hotel
TRAVEL: We have engaged Helloworld and Flight Centre to negotiate with all the relevant airlines for special or discounted airfare rates.
CONCESSION: A special rate for university students is being offered for a flat rate of $650.

THE HOST CITY & VENUES

ICS-MEES Pty Ltd

Indigenous Conference Services (Australia)

Postal Address: 8 Kiwi Court, Pt Vernon QLD 4655 Australia

Web: www.icsconferences.org

Email: adminics@iinet.net.au

Phone: 07 4194 2803, +61 4557 76 668

Please note this page is still under construction