A report commissioned by the Actuaries Institute has called for significant changes in the types of data collected about First Nations people in Australia. The document, titled Getting to Grips With Indigenous Data, emphasised that to improve the lives and futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the nation must rethink how data is gathered, utilised, and controlled.
Despite heightened attention on the rights and outcomes of First Nations communities over the past several decades, the report revealed persistent issues. The report highlighted that progress toward achieving Closing the Gap targets has been limited, particularly concerning Priority Reform 4, which focuses on enhancing data sharing to empower Indigenous communities.
The authors, actuaries Hugh Miller and Laura Dixie from Taylor Fry, noted that a more comprehensive approach to data collection is essential. They highlighted that current methods primarily adhere to traditional Western definitions of data, which inadequately reflect the nuances of Indigenous life. The report advocates for the inclusion of “Indigenous data,” which encompasses a broader range of information pertinent to Indigenous culture, land, environment, and resources.
The concept of “Indigenous Data Sovereignty” is central to the report. This principle posits that Indigenous peoples should have the right to own, control, access, and possess data that concerns their communities, knowledge systems, customs, and territories.
“These kinds of measures would ensure that data is more reflective of the things that are important to First Nations communities,” said Miller. He noted that current indicators used to track progress under the Closing the Gap initiative are not designed with Indigenous perspectives in mind.
“The emphasis on gaps with non-Indigenous people is deficit-based and reproachful; the diversity of cultures across First Nations communities is not reflected in reporting,” Miller added.
The report identified the growing role of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and other Indigenous businesses in service delivery. It suggested that these entities could play a more significant role in collecting and utilizing Indigenous data, enabling them to demonstrate the value of their initiatives effectively.
The document also highlighted successful programs at government, research, and community levels that have embraced Indigenous data sovereignty principles, illustrating how such approaches can lead to improved outcomes for First Nations people.
“There remains a collective need to improve the lives of First Nations communities, which still endure significant disadvantage,” said Elayne Grace, CEO of the Actuaries Institute. “Improving our approach to Indigenous data is central to both enabling and measuring what really matters as progress, as well as empowering First Nations communities.”
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