The Transformation of Assets for Sustainable Livelihoods in a Remote Aboriginal Settlement

Abstract

The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework is a model of practice derived from international development that is increasingly being applied to Aboriginal settlements in desert Australia. Rather than starting with externally derived interventions, the model draws practitioners to consider the range of existing community-based assets that can be strengthened and transformed towards livelihood outcomes. The study revealed the shortcomings of uncritically adopting international development practice to Aboriginal Affairs, due to the considerable differences in socio-economic conditions. Based on an intensive 18 month study at one Aboriginal settlement in Central Australia, a modified Sustainable Livelihoods Framework was developed by the research team, with input from local leaders and employees. The study found merit in an asset-based approach, but that assets are only accessible and transformable to the extent permitted by a complex set of external institutional and internal cultural constraints. In terms of achieving sustainable livelihoods, the critical processes are those occurring within the sphere of local governance and networks, on an interethnic field. It is in the constantly shifting space between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal domains that new relationships, roles and rules can be worked through and where leaders, employees and practitioners have the opportunity to work together towards sustainable livelihood outcomes.