Stolen Generations

The Apology made by Kevin Rudd focused the nation’s attention on the legacy of trauma and grief that has been inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through colonisation, and in particular highlighted the experience of the Stolen Generations. The impact on families and communities has been profound and far reaching, affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across generations. The Healing Foundation recognises that the Stolen Generations have been alienated from their families, their language and their culture.

The Healing Foundation is establishing a program that specifically targets the needs of the Stolen Generations. The funding will be allocated from within our current budget. In addition, the Healing Foundation will over time aim to increase the pool of funding for this Stolen Generations program, allocating a portion of any future funding beyond the initial establishment grant towards this program. It is important to recognise that the needs of the Stolen Generations will not resolve in the short term. The distress caused by the trauma suffered by the Stolen Generations will likely remain with them all their lives.

The Healing Foundation recognises that many parties were involved in lobbying for the establishment of the Healing Foundation from many communities and from many organisations. This widespread advocacy was carried out selflessly in the radical hope that a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing organisation would be established to continue developing the Healing Story for our children and our future. There were no stronger or more selfless advocates for the establishment of the Healing Foundation than the National Sorry Day committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance. The Healing Foundation will look to develop strong relationships with both of these advocacy bodies to assist the Healing Foundation with advice on the development of our Stolen Generations initiative. We will be looking to support as many members of the Stolen Generations through projects we will fund from the Healing Foundation’s Stolen Generations program.

• Marumali Healing Camps, Yarning Circles & Youth Healing Program
• Sister Kate’s Healing Centre & Well-being Program
• Link-Up QLD Stolen Generations Peoples Healing Camp

Click here for the Stolen Generations Alliance website
Click here for the National Sorry Day Committee website