WARNING: This story contains references to an Aboriginal person who has died and distressing elements, including references to suicide.
A Victorian Aboriginal organisation has backed coronial recommendations to better invest in cultural connections for Indigenous children in care.
On Wednesday, Victorian Coroner Simon McGregor handed down his findings into the death of a Wemba Wemba teenager who died by suicide while in state care.
The 17-year-old, known as XY, died while living in state care at an Anglicare residential unit in the Victorian town of Bendigo.
She spent time in seven placements across four years and in December 2020 wrote to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) advocating for better care and cultural connection.
Mr McGregor determined that the Department had breached her human rights by not listening to or acting on her concerns.
"The department had a procedural obligation to properly consider XY's human rights, which involved hearing her voice and properly considering her views," his report reads.
The coroner also noted that racism and systemic issues impacted protection policies provided to the teenager, known as XY for legal reasons and that the services provided to to her did not appropriately cater to the needs of Aboriginal people.
He issued 17 recommendations including a push for DFFH to transition all Aboriginal children into Aboriginal Community Controlled Care and the need for cultural safety and anti-racism training for all child protection staff.
Vic Aboriginal organisation welcomes recommendations
Victorian Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC), has welcomed and fully endorsed the coroner's 17 recommendations.
Dharug man and BDAC CEO Dallas Widdicombe said XY's passing is a "devastating loss" and noted the effect on the community in Bendigo.
Mr Widdicombe said her passing exposes a range of system issues that led to her inadequate care and highlighted the importance of cultural safety and connection for Aboriginal children in care.
He said the organisation welcomes the "strong focus on the importance of culturally connected care that is identified among the recommendations".
"As Aboriginal people, we know that connection to culture and community are critical to our wellbeing," he said.
"This couldn't be more important for a young child who is in a highly vulnerable situation."
Mr Widdicombe said while he recognised the state government's commitment to transferring statutory powers to Aboriginal care organisations, it needs to extend to residential care.
BDAC has advocated for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) to be allocated tailored funding for the delivery of culturally appropriate residential care for Aboriginal children.
They expressed this and want all training providers to have access to Aboriginal specialist advice and cultural awareness training from ACCOs in their submission to the Inquest.
No Aboriginal child should be placed in a position where they do not have cultural supports around them.
"Every care plan should provide genuine opportunities for Aboriginal children and young people to connect with their community and culture in a meaningful way," said Mr Widdicombe.
Mr Widdicombe said the inquest recommendations reflected BDAC's wishes and so have made the organisation feel seen, heard and valued.
He said BDAC remains "committed to working with government and other stakeholders to ensure the cultural and community connections of young people are nurtured".
"And that they are safe and supported to thrive."
