International Day of the World's Indigenous People: Today (9 August 2007) is the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. For information go to the website.

Indigenous Affairs Ministers meet in Adelaide: The Ministerial Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (MCATSIA) met in Adelaide on 3 August. The Council, comprised of the State, Territory and Federal Ministers for Indigenous Affairs, meets once a year to discuss issues of national significance in Indigenous affairs. On last week's agenda issues included the recommendations of the Unfinished Business - Indigenous Stolen Wages report, a discussion around national policy initiative and information about the Tasmanian Government's legislation to allow for compensation payments to Stolen Generation's children.
MCATSIA also received a presentation on the findings of the 2007 Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report. Amongst the resolutions of the Council was the recommendation that a long-term strategy be developed to address child abuse and violence, in line with COAG's Indigenous Generational Reform agenda.

2007 Environmental Health Survey Underway: The 2007 Environmental Health Needs Survey (EHNS) is currently underway to gather community information on the status of environmental health core indicators in Indigenous communities. The EHNS will obtain current information on each of the 286 occupied discrete Indigenous communities in Western Australia, including remote and town reserve communities. A separate housing audit by the Department of Housing and Works will collect detailed housing information at a later date. A key objective of the survey is to collect accurate, reliable and shared data source on environmental health needs across the State in order to assess relative needs and to inform resource allocation. Core indicators include water, electricity, sanitation, solid waste, housing, dust, the dog program and emergency management.  Other information will be collected on community planning, clinical health services, food stores and nutrition, disability and mobility, telecommunications and Indigenous languages.
Environmental Health Officers will collate information between August to September this year and it is expected the final report will be available by June 2008. For further information contact either  Dr. Bob Hay at the Department of Indigenous Affairs on  (08) 9235 8128 or Owen Ashby at the Department of Health on 0419 946 263.

Lunch Seminar about Overcoming Indigenous Advantage: The Australasian Evaluation Society invites you to its next lunch seminar on the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Framework. Dr Robert Fitzgerald, Commissioner with the Productivity Commission, who convenes the Steering Committee's Indigenous Working Group will speak about the origins and purpose of the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report. He will be supported by Lyne Acacio, Assistant Director Whole of Government Planning at DIA. She will speak about findings in the 2007 report that are relevant to Western Australia.
The seminar is free and will be held at the DCD Theatrtette, 189 Royal Street, East Perth on 23 August from 1:00 - 2:00pm. All are welcome, please RSVP on (08) 9343 9115 or via email.

Nominate an Outstanding Community Leader: Entries are now being called for the Community Services Industry Awards 2007. This program recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations for their leadership, community development focus and creative way of working. The Department for Child Protection in conjunction with the Department for Communities invites you to enter or nominate an outstanding person, program or service that has helped to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities. Winners in each category will receive a $5,000 grant from Principal Partner Lotterywest.
Nominations and entries close at 4pm on Friday 14 September 2007. For information about categories, how to nominate, who can enter, how to enter, frequently asked questions and more, visit the Awards website, email or telephone 1800 623 993 or (08) 9222 2587.

New Voices to Ancient Storytelling: ABC Innovation has launched a new website www.dustechoes.com.au that showcases eight extraordinary new Dust Echoes animations. The site brings new voices to ancient Dreamtime storytelling, with the purpose of introducing young audiences to these remarkable tales.

Film Festival calls for Submissions: The sixth Annual North American Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival (WAFF) calls for submissions of films and video's to be considered for inclusion at this year's fest. The event will be held from 15 until 18 November. For more information or submission forms and guidelines visit the WAFF website or send an email. Deadline is 31 August 2007.

National Conference on Racism: Murdoch University is hosting a National Conference on Racism in a Global Context to be held from 9 until 11 November 2007. Following on from the UN World Conference against Racism (WCAR) held in Durban South Africa, the Murdoch conference will bring together delegates from a range of backgrounds and disciplines to review and extend themes and issues raised at WCAR, and to explore experiences and effects of racism. Visit the conference web site for more information.

New scheme for Aboriginal Rental Accommodation: Aboriginal families seeking to rent a property to live in may be eligible for assistance under a new scheme run by Foundation Housing, with the support of the Department of Housing and Works. Foundation Housing is a not-for-profit community housing provider and currently manages some 550 tenacies to mainly low income families.
The Private Rental Access Scheme (PRAS) aims to improve Indigenous people's access to the private rental market in metropolitan Perth. Prospective applicants can get more details about the PRAS scheme and eligibility criteria by ringing Donna Bannister or Josephine Colbung on (08) 9250 6863.

Job Opportunity: Family Violence Senior Community Corrections Officer: The Department of Corrective Services is looking for a Family Violence Senior Community Corrections Officer, who will case manage both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal family and domestic violence perptrators. Two information workshops (8 and 11 August) will be held for applicants to provide further information about the role and the Family Violence Courts. For more information, click here. Applications close on Monday 27 August 5pm.

Positions Vacant at DIA: There are a number of vacancies at the Department. To view the position details, please visit the employment section of the DIA website here.