Vale Uncle Brian (William Brian) Butler, an advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the Stolen Generations. He campaigned for the establishment of The Healing Foundation and sat on the initial Advisory Board, he was also on the Indigenous Advisory Group for the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing them home and was a founding member of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC).
Born in 1938 of Aranda and Lurijta descent, Uncle Brian’s advocacy began at age fourteen, as he sought the return of children taken from their families. He founded the South Australian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, promoting grassroots self-determination to ensure local support for communities.
As a father figure for the Stolen Generations movement, Uncle Brian fought tirelessly for organisations like SNAICC and was vital in developing and implementing the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, ensuring Aboriginal children needing out of home care remain connected to their families.
Uncle Brian contributed to the “Voices from the Campfire” report, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate healing services which lead to the establishment of the Healing Foundation.
He was a Co-Chair of the National Sorry Day Committee and the Stolen Generations Alliance as well as being a founding member of the Alliance. Co-authoring the book “Sorry and Beyond” to inspire renewed commitment from the community and government reflecting on the lasting impacts of the Stolen Generations and the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
The Healing Foundation board and staff honour his profound legacy and lasting achievements in advancing Aboriginal rights, truth, justice and healing. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.
