Conference Papers
Session WR3.4. Healing inter generational trauma
1. Tjalaminu Mia & Jindee Simmons: Shadow on a Life: how do we shed light on the lives of our young ones to help heal and inspire them to become future leaders for our peoples
Full paper | Audio | Video | Slideshow
This presentation will highlight the importance of inter-generational connections through family and community initiatives that allow cultural grounding and healing to occur at the community grass-roots level, and which in turn through sharing cultural knowledge, re-connecting people to country and nurturing a sense of belonging will help to manifest a pride in one’s identity, which is imperative for our younger generations as our future Leaders. Though there has been a number of past achievements acknowledged as universal milestones in advancing Aboriginal Affairs in this country - these being political turning points that reflect some recognition in principle by the federal government of Indigenous human rights, however, it is still widely felt that there needs to be a greater understanding of the ‘impact trauma caused soul-sickness’ of colonial oppression and the assimilation policies of the Stolen Generations, as well as a deeper collective commitment to healing Aboriginal Australia. This presentation will also give an insight into the planned Healing & Remembrance Centre and healing programs designed to enable healing to occur of the Sister Kate’s Home Kids and their descendants from intergenerational trauma experienced by past policies, and how the healing programs can play a role in advancing the cultural, spiritual, social and human rights of Homee’s and their younger generations, so they can move forward into a more positive future.
Author bio: Tialaminu Mia is a Meneng Goreng Wardji Nyoongar from the Great Southern region of WA, and has for the last decade and a half, worked at the School of Indigenous Studies, UWA where she has co-authored numerous oral history publications and several children’s first reader books, as well as staged a number of local & international social justice and human rights forums, art exhibitions and national and international cultural and academic exchanges on cultural knowledge, land care issues and providing a stage for the voices and experiences of the Stolen Generations. Tjalaminu was also the first Aboriginal woman to work in a men’s maximum security prison (Fremantle prison) in 1980 and also the first Aboriginal art curator to work at the Art Gallery of Western Australia 1993-1997. A Stolen Generations survivor and Sister Kate Homee, Tjalaminu is currently the Managing Director of the Sister Kate’s Home Kids Aboriginal Corporation/Foundation Trust Healing & Remembrance Centre, and healing programs funded by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Healing Foundation. Tjalaminu is also working to progress the Centre as a place of historical/national significance, as well, a Centre of International Excellence to be built on the ‘bush block site’ adjacent to the old Sister Kate’s Home in Queens Park.
Author bio: Jindee Simmons is a Wilman Nyoongar from the Great Southern region of WA, and has for the last fourteen years practiced as a traditional healer in Wildflower Essence healing through a accredited healing course at the Life Academy in Western Australia. Tracy was also a cultural student under the tutelage of the revered late Nyungar Elder Ken Colbung, who shared his cultural knowledge and support to Academy. Tracey also archived Ken’s Life work (documents/ papers) for AIATSIS and is now currently working as an Office Administrator and Project, Assistant with Tjalaminu Mia – on the Sister Kate’s Home Kids Healing and Remembrance Centre and Healing Programs.
2. Lisa Hillan and Richard Weston: Growing our youth strong: breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma
Full paper | Audio | Video | Slideshow
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth have been overburdened by the impacts of trauma on an individual and a community level with many becoming dislocated from their culture. Some of this trauma is the result of intergenerational transmission. Traumatised children have lower educational outcomes, higher rates of behavioural disorders and higher rates of mental and physical health problems as adults. The evidence on investing in prevention and the economic benefits is without dispute in our nation so, whilst much has been written about the impact of intergenerational trauma, very few programs exist nationally that are designed and implemented to assist Indigenous young people to embark early on a healing journey. Young people are the elders of our future. The creation of hope and renewal is imperative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. This paper will outline the Healing Foundations vision for breaking the cycle of trauma, reconnecting young people with the strength of their culture through the development of evidence based intergenerational trauma initiatives. It will outline what has been learnt through the provision of healing programs for Aboriginal young people in Canada and the importance of this initiative for Australia in building its own evidence base within an Indigenous world view and with programs that will be designed, developed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Case studies will be utilised to bring this story alive.
Author bio: Lisa Hillan is a Social Worker with over 20 years experience working with vulnerable communities in program design and delivery. Over the past 10 years, Lisa has worked in Queensland and the Northern Territory in partnership with many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to build their children and families sector. As Programs Director, Lisa is responsible for the development of healing and training initiatives with a culturally strong program design creating positive change to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Author bio: Richard Weston is a descendant of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait and has worked in Indigenous Affairs for 20 years, the last 14 in Indigenous controlled health services in Far West NSW and Queensland. He commenced with the Healing Foundation as CEO in September 2010 and is responsible for its overarching strategic and operational management delivering the vision laid out by the Board of Directors. Richard works closely with the Board to support their critically important governing role to ensure compliance and performance functions of the Healing Foundation are discharged effectively and to a high standard.