New analysis spotlights urgent health and wellbeing needs of Stolen Generations survivors and descendants

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its data analysis of Stolen Generations survivors and descendants today. 

The latest findings add to decades of evidence about the needs of Stolen Generations survivors and descendants — offering an opportunity for governments to act. 

Thousands of Stolen Generations survivors are ageing with complex and intersecting health, social and emotional wellbeing and care needs. 

The data tells us survivors continue to endure deep and ongoing harm due to decades of inaction, inadequate policy, services and systems responses. 

Many have lived through unimaginable, traumatic circumstances and may need support to navigate daily challenges of depression, anxiety and poor health. 

The Healing Foundation Board Chair Professor Steve Larkin (Kungarakan) said survivors have endured the violence and harms of decades of government race-based removal policies, despite this they continue to show strength and leadership in healing. 

“Survivors are the Elders, parents, grandparents and community leaders who are integral parts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” he said.

“Being ripped away from their families and dispossessed from their culture and ways of living at the hands of past government has left profound wounds.”

Touched by a violent history   

This trauma has been passed on to the future generations. 

A new report dedicated entirely to descendants’ demographics and outcomes has been released for the first time as part of the analysis.

The aim is to recognise the nature and magnitude of intergenerational impacts across communities.

There are around 200, 000 descendants, making up almost half of the entire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population.  

Descendants are living with the intergenerational impacts, demonstrating this remains a contemporary policy issue — not a historical one. 

Survivors and descendants are strong people 

We know that survivors and descendants find healing and strength through culture, connection to family and communities, and by coming together. 

Many of these factors were fractured or severed completely due to forced removals. 

The good news is that we already know the solutions — what we need is political will. 

Survivors and Stolen Generations organisations hold the key to real progress. We know that community designed and led responses work.  

These organisations are going above and beyond to support survivors through healing, connection, reunions, advocacy and service navigation — often under resourced and underfunded.