Located in the Gulf of Carpentaria in North West Queensland, the town of Normanton is on the unceded lands of the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj people and is home to approximately 138 children aged zero to five years, including about 90 First Nations children. The cumulative and interrelated impact of colonisation, remoteness, developmental vulnerability and socio-economic disadvantage places our children at increased risk of lifelong struggles.
While our area has an undeniable high level of persistent disadvantage, this certainly does not paint the whole picture, capture the strengths of the community or the texture and quality of everyday life. Alongside these challenges, we have young people growing up and achieving great things, either in Normanton or places further afield.
This case study will use creative and culturally appropriate approaches to identify, map and amplify the strengths and resources within Normanton’s early childhood socio-ecological system. It will focus on parents and carer’s hopes and dreams for their children, where and when they feel most connected to their child and as a family, and how children aged zero to five spend their day. Through the research process strengths will be mobilised and awareness will be raised of early brain development and the influence of early positive/protective and negative experiences.
This research may provide a model for other communities to assess and mobilise strengths and give voice to a place-based assessment of needs that considers existing strengths.
