Thank you to survivors, Stolen Generations organisations and The Healing Foundation

The time has come for me to say galiya. I want to acknowledge all the survivors, organisations and The Healing Foundation for their support of me leading this organisation. It has been the greatest honour of my life.

Being part of this organisation and getting the opportunity to amplify survivor voices and priorities in national conversations has been a privilege. It has meant so much for me to be able to continue the work of my Dad Mick Dodson, who led The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing them home.

My family, like many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, has been impacted by the Stolen Generations. I will continue to fight for the healing and justice of survivors and their families, including the ongoing need for practical action on the unfinished business of the Bringing them home report.

I want to thank every single survivor that has trusted me with their stories, who have opened their hearts to me, and have put their belief in me to ensure their truth and vulnerability is not in vain.

Thank you to the Stolen Generations organisations that continually show up, with little to no resourcing, to support survivors and their families to thrive and heal and inspire me every day. 

Thank you to The Healing Foundation staff and Board who are steadfast in their vision, empowered me to lead and bring so much heart to this work.

Thank you to all those stakeholders, Government and non-Government representatives, and Ministers for listening with intent, accepting constructive criticism where warranted and taking on the challenge of change.

I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved and I am inspired by the generosity, tenacity and dedication that survivors, organisations and staff give on a daily basis.

What we’ve achieved

●      Elevated national advocacy for Stolen Generations survivors: We continued to platform the voices of survivors, and regularly engaged with senior Federal and state leaders, relevant departments and national media to keep survivors' needs at the centre of public discussion. 

●      Amplified the urgency of survivor-led healing: The Healing Foundation strengthened its public positioning around intergenerational healing, truth-telling, trauma informed support and the urgent needs of ageing Stolen Generations survivors.

●      Released major policy work on unfinished business of the Bringing them home report: For the National Apology Anniversary 2025, The Healing Foundation released Are you waiting for us to die? The unfinished business of Bringing them home, which found only 6% of the original Bringing them home recommendations had been fully implemented and set out 19 recommendations for a National Healing Package.

●      Advanced calls for a systematic approach to Bringing them home recommendation: The orgainsation released From Sorry to Action: A plan to act on Bringing them home (2026-2028), which outlines actions required to address key Bringing them home recommendations, in the lead up to the 30-year anniversary. 

●      Highlighting key priorities for survivors and urgent needs: Consistent campaigns to advocate for equitable redress, access to records, family tracing and reunifications, culturally-safe aged care and health services, education, and accountability.  

●      Secured and advocated for further support for Stolen Generations organisations: Working with the Minister for Indigenous Australians to help ensure Stolen Generations organisations received further funding for collective healing activities.

●      Strengthened national public awareness: The Healing Foundation expanded accessible public information about the Stolen Generations, redress, National Sorry Day, the National Apology, intergenerational trauma, survivor stories and support organisations.

●      Maintained visibility on key national moments: The organisation used National Sorry Day and the anniversary of the National Apology to draw attention to ongoing survivor priorities and the need for urgent action while survivor numbers continue to decline. 

I’m grateful to hand over the helm to Deputy CEO, Leonie Williamson (Butchulla/Gubbi Gubbi) to act as CEO whilst recruitment is underway. I know she will continue to provide unwavering support to survivors and push for the priorities that cannot wait.

I leave with mabu liyan (good spirit/wellbeing) and gala mabu (thank you) to everyone who has walked with me on this journey.