Supporting the Indigenous community sector through building community partnerships

The paper focuses on the need to rebuild the Indigenous community sector and its community controlled organisations that provide infrastructure and services, and generate community-based and private businesses. Since the demise of ATSIC in 2004, this sector has languished as mainstream charities and not-for-profits have largely usurped the role of community organisations in providing culturally appropriate services so essential to Closing the Gap. The corporate and philanthropic sectors can play a crucial role in rebuilding Indigenous organisations, many of which are essential to the functioning of their communities.