YSAS Aboriginal Cultural Safety Statement

YSAS acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and water on which we rely. They were the first to establish sovereign Nations and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We are enriched by the continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

YSAS acknowledges the inherent cultural strength and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their vast experience in caring for the social emotional wellbeing of their community. We pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We are steadfast in our belief that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a right to self-determination and justice.

YSAS is committed to upholding a culturally safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families, where First Nations People feel secure in their identity, culture and community.

We uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recognise the right to self-determination, cultural identity, informed consent, and freedom from discrimination as the pillars to ensuring cultural safety.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in our care are supported to connect to their cultures. We acknowledge and respect the distinct culture, beliefs, values and languages that exists across different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander countries and communities.

YSAS takes a zero-tolerance approach to racism and discrimination and centres the perspective of First Nations People in decisions that affect them as individuals, their families and communities. YSAS is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel involved, respected and valued in every interaction with a YSAS team member, program or service.

YSAS also advocates for YSAS staff and volunteers to engage in respectful and culturally safe practice by reflecting on our own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs and how these influence our interactions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families.

We acknowledge that ongoing and responsive learning is required to unlearn unconscious bias and racism and relearn Aboriginal cultural values. We strive to truly listen to the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families and to learn together with dignity and shared respect.

YSAS staff and volunteers are encouraged to provide holistic care to all First Nations young people through recognising the cultural significance of family and community, along with a spiritual connection to country.