The Healing Foundation November 2024 newsletter

CEO Message 

Ngaji gurrjin,

It has been a busy few months for The Healing Foundation and Stolen Generation Organisations (SGOs), with one of the biggest and most significant accomplishments being the SGO Gathering, an honor for the Healing Foundation to host in Garramilla. 

The SGO Gathering provided an opportunity for the sector to come together to collectively focus on efforts to create the changes needed to support aging survivors, including drawing attention to the unfinished business of the Bringing Them Home report recommendations. 

The event program was driven by SGOs and provided a platform for them to share what is working well in supporting survivors and connect with colleagues from across the country. 

It’s our privilege to share with you the Gathering report, which covers session outcomes and discussions, along with the previously shared Event Statement and video recap. 

The Healing Foundation has also welcomed a new Board Member, continued its broader community engagement and advocacy including attending the National Link Up Leadership Conference and Kinchela 100th Anniversary. 

We are commencing our planning for another dynamic 2025 where we will continue advocating for effective implementation of outstanding recommendations from the Bringing Them Home report.  

As always, let us know if there are any great community stories or opportunities we can share and further amplify.

Shannan Dodson (Yawuru), 
CEO, The Healing Foundation 

The Stolen Generations Organisation Gathering 2024 wrap up

In September, over 100 people from Stolen Generations organisations, including Stolen Generations survivors, came together in Garramilla to connect and create collective knowledge on the work being done across Australia to support ageing Stolen Generations survivors.    

The group of 19 organisations reaffirmed their commitment to the Bringing them home report recommendations, and called on governments, churches and NGOs to respond to the unfinished business of Bringing them home.  

It was the first time that this group of organisations has come together like this to galvanise as a sector, bringing together knowledge from across the country and hold governments and institutions to account.  

Find the Gathering 2024 report, which includes high level session notes and evaluation findings and full recap video for viewing. 

A massive thank you to all attendees for your time and the opportunity to connect, we welcome more opportunities for the future and promise that the Gathering 2024 is only the beginning for furthering the solutions to heal ourselves and our people. 

The Gathering Full Wrap Up video 

Welcome Kirsten Gray 

The Healing Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Muruwari/Yuwaalaraay woman Kirsten Gray to the Healing Foundation Board after an extensive process with a huge number of applications. 

Kirsten, a lawyer by trade, has established herself as a key leader and thinker in Indigenous policy and human rights. She has served as a trusted adviser to several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioners before leading First Nations Policy and Engagement at the Disability Royal Commission. 

“Kirsten’s dedication to advancing Indigenous human rights at both national and international levels was one of the factors that stood out for us in selecting her as The Healing Foundation’s newest Director,” said Professor Steve Larkin, The Healing Foundation Board Chair. 

“Sadly, the institutionalisation of children through both justice and child protection systems, along with issues related to access and protections for people with disabilities, appear to be just as pressing for Indigenous people today as when the Bringing them home report was released nearly 30 years ago,” Professor Larkin stated. 

“Kirsten has demonstrated her effectiveness as both an advocate and academic working across these areas.” 

“I am confident that Kirsten will bring new knowledge and energy that will be an asset to the Healing Foundation Board as we intensify our calls for action on the recommendations of the Bringing them home report so that we can avoid repeating past mistakes.” 

Please join us in welcoming Kirsten! 

Schools Resource Kit for Teachers and Students update  

Have you seen our latest update to the Schools Resource Kit for Teachers and Students? On the website you can now find much more in-depth curriculum links to the Australian Curriculum v9, that cover a much wider range of subject areas including English, Maths, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts and Digital Technologies as well as the cross-curriculum priority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.  

We've also released a bonus activity for you to bring The Healing Foundation's Podcast 'Healing Our Way' into your classroom. You can find a lesson plan with worksheets, using the podcast to teach your students about persuasive spoken texts and podcasts as a genre. In the year 9 drop-down, you can also find transcripts for all six episodes of the podcast that you can use to aid your lesson. This activity is aligned with the year 9 English curriculum but could easily be altered to suit a range of year levels. 

Jump onto our website today to download your FREE learning resources to use in 2025 so you can bring Stolen Generation survivor stories into your classroom. 

National Link Up conference  

The Healing Foundation had the privilege of joining the National Link Up forum in Mparntwe on Arrente Country. Together, we're continuing the amplification of the voices of those affected by past government policies and advocating for justice for Stolen Generations survivors. 

Link Up organisations provide crucial support - offering culturally sensitive services, reunions, and wellbeing programs to empower those over 18 on their healing journeys. 

We are proud to work alongside each Link Up to stand united for truth-telling and advocation around service provision and intergenerational healing ensuring there’s a real difference to Stolen Generation survivors, their families and descendants. 

Victorian Premier’s apology 

Following Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s private apology to survivors and their families, we have written to her to express our appreciation. We have also requested a meeting to update her on our upcoming report featuring University of Canberra analysis of the Bringing them home recommendations and suggested next steps to progress key outstanding recommendations.  

Premier Allan’s apology was arranged in consultation with local Stolen Generations organisations in Victoria. 

 Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home 100th anniversary

The Healing Foundation was honored to be part of events marking the 100th anniversary of the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home. 
 
Located on Dunghutti land on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home (Kinchela) operated between 1924 and 1970, housing around 600 young boys and a small number of girls in its first year.

Today, only 49 of these 600 children, who were taken as part of the Stolen Generations and experienced the brutal conditions of Kinchela, are still with us. 

The need for compensation schemes to restore the dignity of survivors and their families and address the broad socioeconomic impacts directly stemming from Kinchela, is urgent. This event serves as a reminder that the country must prioritize Stolen Generations survivors before it’s too late. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Uncles for having us and sharing their time as always. 

The Healing Foundation stands with the Uncles to ensure the stories of Kinchela are preserved and the wishes of survivors fulfilled. 

Statement on the Queensland Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry 

Truth telling and healing is the only way forward for QLD Stolen Generations survivors. 

The decision to stop the Queensland Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is deeply hurtful and detrimental to the healing process for ageing Stolen Generations survivors, a national body representing survivors said today. 

“This decision does not contribute to unity for Stolen Generations survivors, it will add to their pain and suffering,” The Healing Foundation’s board chair Professor Steve Larkin said. 

“As far as we are aware the Premier has not provided any alternative to the inquiry; denying survivors the opportunity to share their stories as part of their individual and community healing is an act of divisiveness in itself. 

“As the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that provides a platform to amplify the voices and lived experience of Stolen Generations survivors and their families, The Healing Foundation strongly urges Premier Crisafulli to reconsider his decision. 

“Meet with us, and with Stolen Generations survivors to understand why truth telling and healing is important not just for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but for all Australians.  

“For many survivors, speaking their truth is healing, and a chance to get their story on the record and work through their trauma. 

“For true understanding, reconciliation and action to address the needs of survivors, all Australians need to know the truth of our history, and the impact of colonialism on our people." 

Click here to read the full statement.

LGBTQIA+ Stolen Generations Survivors research project 

The Healing Foundation is seeking participants for a research project commissioned in collaboration with Macquarie University that aims to better understand the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ people who are Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants. The findings will inform the design of future resources and projects.   

Please click here to downloand the full survey flyer which includes further information about the project, who can participate, what the participation involves and how to get involved. Participants will receive a voucher for their time.  

Please share this opportunity and flyer with your networks. For further information, please contact Madi Day at madi.day@mq.edu.au. 

Thank you for supporting community healing!