CEO Message

Ngaji gurrijin, ngayu nilawal Shannan Dodson. Ngayu Yawuru jarndu. Hello how are you all? My name is Shannan Dodson. I am a Yawuru woman, my family is from Broome in Western Australia.  

I was recently appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer at The Healing Foundation and I am very honoured and privileged to take on this role. I’d like to say a big thank you to former CEO, Fiona Cornforth for leading The Healing Foundation (THF) up to where we are today. 

I feel it’s my responsibility to take on the unfinished business of my ancestors, my Gugus (Dads) and Stolen Generations survivors across Australia. Through my role I will continue to call on government to take action on addressing the impact of colonisation, including, the implementation of a full and fair national redress scheme, trauma-aware, healing-informed service delivery and for our communities to be adequately funded and resourced to determine their own healing journeys. 

I am organising individual meetings with Stolen Generations Organisations (SGOs) all across the country to personally introduce myself, my team and get to know what’s happening on the ground and how THF can best support healing for survivors across the country. 

In the last newsletter you would have read I just came on a Deputy CEO, and since then we have: 

• Developed community self-care resources and tips in partnership with NACCHO, 

• Launched our updated and expanded Stolen Generations Resource Kit for Teachers and Students, 

• Added the final edits to the 'Healing Our Way' podcast,  

• Attended the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conference in Canada, 

• Had the pleasure of meeting stakeholders online or in person. 

As I settle into the role as CEO, I am looking forward to learning more from our dedicated friends, partners, SGO networks, Stolen Generations survivors and our stakeholders in service delivery and government. 

 Gala mabu,                                                                                             Shannan Dodson                                                                                         CEO 

Collective Healing Grants 2023 - 2024 

Our Collective Healing Grants are NOW OPEN. They are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled-Organisations (ACCO) and designed to meet the unique healing needs and aspirations of Stolen Generations survivors, their descendants and communities, with a focus on collective healing.   

Eligible organisations can apply for up to $40,000 for projects that support the healing of Stolen Generations survivors through strengths-based activities.   

Applications close on December 19^th 2023. 

Updated Stolen Generations' Schools Resource Kit launched

Now more than ever, it is integral that future generations know the truth of our history and the experience of Stolen Generations survivors to understand the impact it still has on communities today.

That is why we have expanded our Stolen Generations Resource Kit for Teachers and Students to ensure their voices are heard.

Ninth Gathering of Healing Our Spirits Worldwide

As previous hosts of Healing Our Spirits Worldwide (HOSW), THF was proud to be able to hand over HOSW2023 to our new friends in Canada. CEO, Shannan Dodson and Stolen Generations Reference Group members Uncle David and Uncle Tony presented about the urgent actions needed to address intergenerational trauma, and what's needed NOW for Stolen Generations survivors to heal.  

THF at the NACCHO Conference

THF joined over 350 representatives ranging from service providers, ACCHO’s and government representatives at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) member conference in Boorloo (Perth), Noongar Boodja. We advocated and shared information with the sector on the Stolen Generations Schools Resource Kit, Self-care Resources, Make Healing Happen Report and Stolen Generations Redress Schemes. We were able to share with health and aged care providers about the urgent action needed for Stolen Generations survivors and the work we are doing to develop a Trauma Aware, Healing Informed approach to health and wellness for professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across various sectors.   

THF Leadership Engagement 

Newly appointed CEO, Shannan Dodson has begun her engagement with Stolen Generations and Link-Up organisations to gain an in-depth knowledge of the sector and how we can work effectively together to best support healing for survivors and their descendants.   

Shannan has so far been able to have insightful conversations about how THF can support survivors, Link-Up QLD, NT Stolen Generations Corporation, Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation and Kimberley Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation.

“A huge gala mabu to Aunty Pat, Tania, Mark, Raelene and Tiffany for being open on how THF can best support your organisations and survivors – I look forward to continuing our relationship and working together to make healing happen! I’m eager to meet with all SGOs and Link-Ups to ensure we can appropriately support survivors and their families on their healing journeys.” – Shannan Dodson.   

In Rubibi (Broome), Shannan and Acting Senior Manager – Engagement and Delivery Royden Fagan also met with Stolen Generations Reference Group member Mark Bin Barka, and educators. Royden has shared some insights below:  

“ It was a great opportunity to visit several state and regional offices of Western Australian Education as well as Catholic Education Kimberley Region to talk about the updated Stolen Generations  Resource Kit and implementing it in their school curriculums. Engaging  with educators and administrators, I shared insights and strategies on how to effectively incorporate this important historical information into their educational programs as well as gaining insight into the issues that impact the Kimberley region in First Nations education.  

They  endorsed the resource and acknowledged that it is needed especially considering the history and impact of the Stolen Generations policies in the Kimberley Region." 

We will share more stories of our engagement with SGO’s and Link-Ups as we make our way across the country!   

Thank you for supporting healing!