This document outlines how the Government of Western Australia proposes to work towards reducing the rate of suicide and enhancing the wellbeing of young Aboriginal people. It is a response to the State Coroner’s Inquest into the deaths of thirteen children and young persons in the Kimberley Region, Western Australia, and the 2016 Parliamentary Inquiry, Learnings from the Message Stick: the report of the Inquiry into Aboriginal youth suicide in remote areas.

Key Findings/Recommendations:

• Aboriginal people need to be part of the decision-making process and be supported to lead and guide the implementation of solutions for issues that are about them. This includes recognising and working with the community’s leadership and cultural authority structures.
• Kimberley Aboriginal people have grown weary of hearing more and more words and want to see action. There have been enough inquiries and reports; it is time for the hard work of implementation, starting with recognising and investing in Aboriginal organisations, and programs that are already working.
• Improving Aboriginal youth wellbeing means addressing issues like safe housing, employment, health and nutrition.