Framing the Benefits of Indi Kindi

Deloitte Access Economics’ evaluation on the breakthrough education, health and social impacts of Indi Kindi, has demonstrated that the Indigenous-led early years program is equipping a generation of Indigenous children with the tools to break cycles of disadvantage.

A key finding of the evaluation was the impacts Indi Kindi has on the educational outcomes of Indigenous children.

For instance, in 2012, when Indi Kindi began in Borroloola, 75% of children were developmentally behind in their first year of school. Now more than a decade later, this figure has fallen to 34.2% as a direct result of Indi Kindi.

The evaluation highlighted Indi Kindi’s unique methodology that blends traditional cultural methods with established Western constructs, as an exemplar in the early years sector for Closing the Gap for Indigenous children.

Indi Kindi has successfully developed a model that has been driven by, and adapted to, the needs of the community. This model draws on local Indigenous leaders, employs local Indigenous women, fosters local Indigenous languages and culture, and operates outdoors on Country through a uniquely interactive ‘walking learning’ approach.

Factors that have been important in driving the success of the model include creating meaningful local employment, the longevity and consistency of the program, and creating partnerships with other community organisations.

Without further and more stable funding, Indi Kindi faces an unsustainable future and is at the risk of forfeiting the benefits it creates for the local community, which have been invaluable in addressing the unique challenges experienced in Borroloola and Robinson River.