Towards a conceptual understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and community functioning

Abstract

This paper reports on research to build concepts about Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and community functioning that might be useful in community development. Three groups of inter-related concepts are presented in this paper; achieving social cohesion, managing community affairs, and imaging a community future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of community and community functioning differ from Western understandings and there is an imperative to use this knowledge if we are to properly address the serious challenges facing the development of communities. The concepts outlined in this paper are a first step in the development of more refined indicators of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community wellbeing.