The Healing Foundation

There are at least 19 organisations throughout the country that are unwavering in their commitment to supporting survivors of the Stolen Generations, collectively known as the Stolen Generations Organisation (SGO) sector. These organisations, including Link Up Queensland, which will proudly celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024, are essential in providing critical assistance to survivors and their families. Despite their importance, funding for these organisations remains inconsistent. Many depend on state or territory support and volunteers to operate effectively. These organisations deliver specialised services that are tailored to the unique needs of survivors, with the Healing Foundation advocating strongly to uphold this vital work. The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait another generation. To learn more about the Stolen Generations sector and our urgent calls for action, access our full report and executive summary here: https://lnkd.in/gV7374xH - - - - #healingourway #stolengenerations #bringingthemhome #unfinishedbusiness

On Close the Gap Day 2025, we want all governments, service providers and policy makers to know that Australia cannot close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians without prioritising Stolen Generations survivors.    “There is a straight line from being forcibly removed from family, community, culture and Country to so many of the key indicators for Closing the Gap targets,” board director of The Healing Foundation Stephanie Harvey told attendees at the National Close the Gap Day 2025 report launch this morning.    Every Aboriginal family has been affected by the policies of forced removal in some way. As a result of the trauma they have experienced, survivors and their families face poorer health, economic and social outcomes than other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of a similar age.   When we talk about disadvantage in Australia, and those who are doing it tough, Stolen Generations survivors are at the top of the list. Survivors require specialised focus from policy makers and services, on issues from aged care to records access – and the Closing the Gap targets and outcomes must ensure survivors are represented as a unique and prioritised group as part of the National Agreement.    The Healing Foundation is proud to have a special contribution piece in the 2025 Close the Gap report. To read the report or learn more visit: https://lnkd.in/g2V8rjp4

As a proud member of the Close the Gap Campaign we are pleased to share details on how you can attend the official National Close the Gap Day event. Hosted in Melbourne at the Aborigines Advancement League, the Close the Gap Campaign will launch our 2025 report. The 2025 CTG Campaign Report ‘Agency, Leadership, Reform: Ensuring the Survival, Dignity and Wellbeing of First Nations peoples’ spotlights Blak excellence and some of the many successful First Nations-led initiatives closing the gap. SPEAKERS include: 🗣️Stephanie Harvey – The Healing Foundation, Board Director 🗣️Cassara Hardies, Acting CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council 🗣️Paul Stewart, Lowitja Institute CEO Lowitja Institute 🗣️Ngaweeyan Maar-oo Ngaweeyan Maar-oo Closing the Gap Victoria MC 🗣️Blake Alan Cansdale, ANTAR National Director ANTAR To register your in-person attendance head to: https://lnkd.in/gNTqKvJX If you cannot attend in person, no need to register, watch the live stream online https://lnkd.in/gVgPPtMU All are welcome. We hope to see you there. In solidarity, we journey together.

The Healing Foundation is seeking participants for a research project with Macquarie University, focusing on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIASB+ individuals who are Stolen Generations survivors and their families.    We invite survivors and their children or family members who also identify as LGBTQIASB+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Sistergirls, Brotherboys or any other person that is part of the Rainbow Community) to participate.     Participants can choose to join a 30-minute to one-hour interview via Zoom or phone, they will receive a $100 voucher. Additionally, we’re forming a Knowledge Holders Group, we anticipate at least four meetings lasting one to two hours, participants will receive a $200 voucher per meeting.    All researchers and facilitators will be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Your input will help shape future research and resources for Stolen Generations Survivors who are LGTBQIASB+ and inform the Healing Foundation about intergenerational trauma and related issues. For more information, please contact Madi Day via email madi.day@mq.edu.au - - - - #healingourway #stolengenerations #firstnationsaustralia #bringingthemhome #lgbtqi

A major issue for Stolen Generations survivors is the lack of prioritised or standardised records access – with different policies and procedures for each records holder in each state and territory, this often makes the process of accessing records emotionally distressing. We must implement special provisions for survivors and their descendants to promote healing and reunification. This looks like expediated request time frames, no fees, administrative release rather than FOI / RFI, and trauma-informed support through the process. Currently, there are no legal protections in place for accessing privately held collections – including church records relating to former church run institutions. These records have the potential to contain vital family history information, yet access provisions are up to the records holder. To address these issues, we need greater involvement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the records sector to tackle the availability and ownership of these collections. The time to act is now; we cannot afford to wait another generation. Read the full report and the executive summary here: https://lnkd.in/gV7374xH - - - - #healingourway #stolengenerations #indigenousaustralia #bringingthemhome #unfinishedbusiness #familyrecords

Access to both historical and contemporary records is essential for survivors of the Stolen Generations and their families. However, legal and policy barriers often hinder this process. Records are stored in various public and private collections, and without culturally sensitive access, survivors may face re-traumatisation while trying to discover their family histories. Unfortunately, many individuals are passing away before they have the opportunity to reconnect with their families. We cannot afford to wait another generation; the time to act is now. To learn more about the challenges surrounding access to family history records and our advocacy for fair and equal access for all Stolen Generations survivors, please read our full report and the executive summary here: https://lnkd.in/gV7374xH

The title of The Healing Foundation’s new report, ‘Are you waiting for us to die?’, reflects the collective testimony of Stolen Generations survivors, who are seeing their brothers and sisters pass away, and the urgency of the changes that are needed for those still living. Most Stolen Generations survivors are now eligible for aged care, many are elderly and in pain. The Healing Foundation’s Board Chair Professor Steve Larkin (Kungarakan) speaks on the urgent attention that must be paid to meet their complex needs. Now is the time for a comprehensive and systemic response to addressing the urgent unfinished business of Bringing them home, and of critical importance is culturally responsive, trauma-informed and survivor-led aged care. Survivors have waited much too long. They cannot afford to wait any longer. We cannot wait another generation. Read the report and executive summary here: https://lnkd.in/gV7374xH #unfinishedbusiness #itstimetoact #healingourway #bringingthemhome

The aged care system is not working for Stolen Generations survivors. Many survivors are passing away without the care they rightfully deserve. Culturally safe, trauma-informed and affordable aged care services are essential for survivors. Supporting Stolen Generations organisations to become service providers (as recommended by the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety) could fill a critical skills gap and create local survivor-led healing and aged care solutions. The Healing Foundation supports the calls from the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner for urgent action to ensure Stolen Generation survivors can age with dignity. - - - - #healingourway #stolengenerations #briningthemhome #unfinishedbusiness

The Healing Foundation urges the Federal Government to act on the recommendations of the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly now before it is too late for Stolen Generations survivors.    Most Stolen Generations survivors are aged 50 or older; the age at which many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people require aged care due to significant health disparities. Survivors are a ‘gap within the gap’ and experience additional disadvantage as a result of being forcibly removed from their families and the abuse they suffered following removal, compared to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the same age who were not removed. We reinforce recommendations in Commissioner Kelly’s Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People report that an equity-based approach is needed to achieve equal access and outcomes for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly Stolen Generations survivors. To read our full statement visit: https://lnkd.in/gAQEQjsF

Our thoughts are with our South-East Queensland and North-East New South Wales survivors, survivor organisations and staff, mob and all affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Please take care over the coming days. For information on being prepared, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gfyjDpB For urgent assistance: - Emergency calls: 000 - TTY emergency calls: 106 - State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500 We want to remind the community that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Line, 13 Yarn, supported by Lifeline Australia, is available for assistance. For 24/7 support, please call 13 92 76. Stay safe, and let’s look out for each other.