Dr Allan Teale, a proud Wiradjuri man, travelled to Canada to explore how to develop sustainable homeownership and management programs for Australian First Nation peoples.
In 2022, Allan was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to gain the knowledge to introduce directional change that will close the gap between Non-First Nation and First Nation peoples and develop opportunities for home ownership and quality property management in Australia. He travelled to Canada to explore how to develop sustainable homeownership and management programs for Australian First Nation peoples.
“The present approach in design, the lack of community consultation, and the shortage of sustainable, appropriate housing supply, maintenance and delivery need to be directed through greater engagement and leadership by the many Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal-controlled organisations,” said Mr Teale. “Then, through a community-led approach, we can adopt a pathway to bring culturally appropriate home ownership and management services and policies to the forefront of housing action models and plans.”
Dr Rachael Coghlan, CEO of the Winston Churchill Trust congratulated Allan on his Fellowship. “During NAIDOC Week, and always, we celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Dr Coghlan. “As mentioned daily in the media, Australia is experiencing a housing affordability crisis that is being felt by people from low to middle incomes due to challenging economic conditions, raising interest rates, population growth, demographic challenges and lack of housing supply. Allan’s research will contribute to improving the lives of First Nations people by recognising the importance of including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural views, and services in project design and decision-making practices towards greater sustainability and care of country.”
Some of Allan’s recommendations are to; include Indigenous knowledge and engagement in development of policies, initiate change in the process and structure of the supply and procedures towards housing ownership and rental accommodation in and for First Nation communities, giving control to community to determine and participate in the decision-making process in project priorities and delivery. This can be read in his Churchill Fellowship project report here.