By Kerry Arabena, Luella Monson-Wilbraham, Elle McLachlan, Alana Marsh and Marion Callope
ABSTRACT
Enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes for infants is at the forefront of global Indigenous social work practice. An evidence informed international 1,000 Days movement, which focuses on nutrition during the period from conception to a child’s second birthday, has been expanded by the First 1000 Days Australia model to include Indigenous holistic and cultural perspectives to support First Nation infants and their families. Developed and delivered by Indigenous peoples in Australia, Indonesia and Norway, this paper explores how the model works with the ecological theory of emergence to support parents and carers enact cultural protections for Indigenous children during the early formation of their families.