History

In 1979, the inaugural Aboriginal Child Survival Seminar that was held in Melbourne had a pivotal role in shaping a crucial proposal.

This proposal identified the need for a national organisation to advocate for the rights and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at the highest level. This laid the groundwork for the establishment of Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (later known as SNAICC – National Voice for our Children) in 1981.

That same year, SNAICC formalised a Statement of Purpose, providing a clear direction for our mission. By 1983, the Commonwealth Department of Social Security took a significant step forward by granting ongoing funding to SNAICC.

In 1988, SNAICC further solidified our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by creating and launching National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day, celebrated on August 4th each year as a major annual event embraced by communities across Australia.

In the 1990s, SNAICC solidified its pivotal role in advocating for the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 

SNAICC took a groundbreaking step, in collaboration with the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, with the publishing of the Aboriginal Child Poverty: Our Children are Our Future report in 1990, which connected the dots between child poverty and the pressing issues of abuse and neglect.

The work continued into 1991 when SNAICC made history by becoming the first national Indigenous organisation to demand an inquiry into the Stolen Generations. The request for an inquiry was a significant step, marking a call for understanding and acknowledgement of the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The subsequent publication of the Through Black Eyes: Family Violence Resource Handbook in 1991-92 reflected a practical response to the issues surrounding family violence within our communities. 

In 1996, SNAICC formulated the Proposed Plan of Action for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in Aboriginal Communities, showcasing a proactive approach to addressing critical challenges. From 1996 – and to this day – we have actively championed children’s interests to various governments and councils across Australia.  

Our organisation’s influence grew to new heights at the second National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Survival Conference in Melbourne in 1997 where we issued a resounding recommendation, urging all states and territories to adopt the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle (ACCP). 

The 1990s were an integral era for SNAICC, a chapter in our history that echoed with passion and groundbreaking initiatives.

In the 2000s, SNAICC made significant strides in expanding our influence, both nationally and internationally. 

We actively participated in the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations and contributed to positive developments in child protection reforms both at a national and international level. 

Our dedication to addressing crucial issues within Indigenous communities was evident in the 2001 publication of Through Young Black Eyes (linked is the 2007 edition), a report addressing family violence and child abuse. Further, in 2002, the release of the State of Denial report on the neglect and abuse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory prompted increased resources for the NT child welfare system.

In response to inquiries and reform processes in 2003, SNAICC organised the Our Future Generations seminar and joined the Federal Ministerial Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Family Violence Taskforce. 

The SNAICC Resource Service, funded by the Australian Government, was established in 2004 with the aim of developing and sharing resources for services working with Indigenous children and families. In 2006, SNAICC secured an agreement with the Australian Government for a National Indigenous Child Care Plan, a significant step in our commitment to cultural appropriate child care.

By the time we celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2008, the Resource Service had grown and received endorsements from key organisations such as the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies and the NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care Secretariat for publications and resources, such as our Service Development, Cultural Respect and Service Access Policy. Further, in the 2009 federal budget, plans for 35 new Aboriginal Child and Family Centres reflected the ongoing commitment to Indigenous children’s wellbeing. 

The 2000s marked a period of steady progress for SNAICC, with international engagement, impactful reports and significant milestones shaping our advocacy for and commitment to our children.

SNAICC carved a path of remarkable achievements throughout the 2010s, demonstrating an ongoing dedication to the wellbeing and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. 

The decade commenced with a significant win as SNAICC successfully lobbied for the establishment of National Standards for Out-of-Home Care in 2010. This ground-breaking action established a crucial precedent by emphasising the importance of community involvement in decisions about the care and placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The early 2010s also saw us continue our work internationally, attending UN sessions in New York and Geneva, earning a Highly Commended Award at the 2012 Indigenous Governance Awards. Additionally, we secured funding from the department of Health and Aging to deliver training and produce culturally appropriate resources under the Kids Matter: Early Childhood initiative. The 25th Anniversary of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day was also celebrated in 2012.

In 2013, SNAICC released the influential Journey to Big School report, shaping the trajectory of future training modules. The Whose Voice Counts? report, also published in 2013, provided a valuable framework for measuring participation and introduced a model for cultural advice and support.

In 2014, we strengthened our efforts, campaigning for long-term funding for Indigenous community-controlled early years services and launching the national Family Matters campaign to address the over-representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. The fifth SNAICC National Conference in 2015 involved a Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Out-of-Home Care, advocating for a new self-determining approach. The Moving to Prevention report was also published, focusing on Intensive and Targeted Family Support Services.

In 2016, SNAICC underwent a transformation, registering under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) and refreshing our brand to become SNAICC – National Voice for our Children. The organisation played a pivotal role in The Redfern Statement during the federal election, solidifying its leadership position. The inaugural Family Matters Report was also published in this transformative year. The 7th SNAICC National Conference in 2017, themed Bring Them Home: Securing the rights of our children, brought together over 1100 delegates, creating a powerful platform for advocacy and collaboration.

2018 saw SNAICC playing a critical role in influencing the Closing the Gap Refresh, advocating for new targets and increased investment in early years services. As a member of the Coalition of Peaks’ Joint Council, the organisation collaborated to establish critical targets for the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This year also marked active support for the implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle through the development of a practical ATSICPP guide.

In 2019, SNAICC continued its impactful journey, playing a critical role in major national policy initiatives. The 8th SNAICC National Conference in September 2019 set a new record with 1,230 delegates, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration for the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 

This decade was a transformative era for SNAICC, defined by milestones, advocacy and self-determination.

Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAICC remained resilient in 2020.

We made significant contributions to the development of the inaugural National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Strategy, the development of Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2021-31) and continuing to support initiatives in advancing the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, our engagements with community-controlled services provided insights into the immense challenges they face. Inspired by their commitment, we continue to amplify their voices, holding governments accountable and influencing policy reform. Strong initiatives, such as the annual Family Matters Reports and the National Week of Action, reflect our dedication to amplifying the voices of our children, members and communities. The year 2021 saw the successful launch of the Family Matters Report online and the delivery of 15,000 resource bags to communities celebrating National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. 

We also established the THRYVE Pilot Program (now named Early Years Support) in 2021, with the goal of providing meaningful early childhood and development services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Australia. THRYVE ensures culturally strong, responsive and accessible support as the collective voice of community-controlled early years services. THRYVE achieved significant milestones in 2021-2022, including the establishment of state-wide intermediaries in NSW, WA and Victoria, as well as co-designing with stakeholders and finalising governance structures. 

Throughout 2022, we conducted gatherings, conferences and community forums to strengthen our services and the sector, aligning with the vision where community-controlled organisations actively participate in decisions impacting our children. We continued to lead policy analysis and advocacy, evidenced by the development of the Early Childhood Care and Development Sector Strengthening Plan and the co-design of a peak body for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia, which is currently in development.