The Healing Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of a woman that has dedicated her life to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue.
A Stolen Generations survivor, taken from her mother at the age of two and brought up at the Colebrook Children’s Home, Dr O’Donoghue went on to become a trailblazer, revered across the country.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sought Dr O’Donoghue’s counsel in preparation for the historic Apology to the Stolen Generations. In 2009 she was then appointed to establish a Foundation to address trauma and healing in Indigenous communities, with a strong focus on the unique needs of Stolen Generations – The Healing Foundation.
“An extraordinary yet humble pioneer, Aunty Lowitja embodied the strength and resilience of survivors. Emerging from one of the darkest parts of our history her life was one grounded in justice, her passing an important reminder of the need for Australia to come to terms with this history” said Professor Steve Larkin, Chair of The Healing Foundation.
“It is because of giants like Aunty Lowitja, that we will continue to fight and give voice to Stolen Generations survivors. She so graciously devoted her life to driving policy change and holding our nations leaders to account for every action and decision impacting First Nations people. We will forever be in debt to her, and pledge to honour and continue her work” Shannan Dodson, CEO The Healing Foundation.
