Young people in Footprints in Time evidently growing up strong

Abstract

This research about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is now in its 17th year of data collection across Australia. The latest findings will be presented. This includes the work of the Queensland University of Technology on an LSIC Primary School Report which explores what helps LSIC children thrive, from the perspectives of parents and carers, teachers and the children themselves. The report shows that good student-teacher relationships and a positive school climate were factors for strong student engagement and achievement. It also highlights the importance of celebrating difference in culturally responsive teaching, while noting “colour blindness” is an issue in classrooms. Additionally, the presentation will explore factors identified by young participants as being important to cultural identity, including the proportion of young people who chose ‘being strong and deadly’, ‘knowing about Indigenous family connections’ and ‘the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags’. Other cultural aspects that were important when the young people were aged 10 to 14 will be discussed, along with what growing up strong meant for LSIC families. We will also discuss findings that provide insights into the impact of racism on LSIC young people’s wellbeing and the parental role in young people’s internet usage. Recent findings also show that, social activity may have a greater impact on wellbeing than sleep or overall health, and that young people in the study used their mobile phones to meet new people. The presenters will explain how researchers can apply to access LSIC data to address their own research questions.