Gillard Government continues support for Indigenous healing

The Gillard Government will provide $26.4 million over the next four years to continue funding for the Healing Foundation, an Indigenous organisation that supports healing initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly members of the Stolen Generations.

This funding will help the Healing Foundation to continue providing successful projects at a community level that address the past trauma and hurt experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Government supported the establishment of the Healing Foundation in 2009 following the first anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples.

The National Apology, delivered on behalf of all Australians, was an acknowledgement of the profound pain and suffering caused by past government policies and practices.

We understood then that the Apology was a first step in helping people to heal, and initiatives to address the underlying causes of trauma would provide real and lasting healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Foundation continues to successfully build wellbeing and resilience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by addressing unresolved grief and loss, with a particular focus on the unique needs of the Stolen Generations.

Projects funded by the Foundation include community education and capacity building, as well as projects to help people better respond to loss, grief and trauma in Indigenous communities.

The Foundation has also funded projects that address the needs of the now ageing members of the Stolen Generations. This includes support to address physical and mental health issues, as well as ensuring services are delivered in a way that recognises the effects of past trauma and the experiences of people formerly in institutions.