Since 2022, the Kimberley Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation has received funding to document the portraits and oral histories of Stolen Generation Elders from the Kimberley region. The aim is to honour the stories of every person affected by past government removal policies, both living and deceased. 

The team captures portraits and collects information about the Elders' lives, including insights from their descendants on how removal has impacted their families. These portraits feature First Nations artwork, and an oral history is recorded from either the Elders or their descendants.

Each year, a powerful exhibition is held during National Sorry Day, drawing positive feedback from attendees. Comments highlight the emotional impact and the importance of honouring the Elders through beautiful portraits.

The collected oral histories contribute to the Kimberley Stolen Generation Database and Genealogy Project, aiding in the truth-telling process about the lasting effects of past policies on Aboriginal peoples in the region.  

Visit the Kimberely Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation website. 

Yokai, a Stolen Generations organisation in Western Australia, received a grant to support collective and individual healing initiatives. The project provided culturally safe, trauma-informed staff training and healing sessions at the Yokai Healing Centre.

Over 100 healing sessions were conducted with 1,700 participants, including 500 Stolen Generations survivors and 150 descendants. The healing workshops utilised various therapeutic approaches, creating safe spaces for participants to develop strategies for improving their quality of life and relationships.

Six communities in Perth, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Katanning, and Southwest were served, with many survivors returning to mission sites for the first time in decades. The project engaged 18 Indigenous services and 45 non-Indigenous services, with 75% of the project team consisting of Indigenous staff.  

Visit the Yokai - Healng our Spirit website 

In 2024, Link-Up (Qld) celebrated 40 years of reconnecting Stolen Generations survivors with their families and communities. To commemorate this milestone, the organisation launched a storytelling initiative with the grant funding. This project showcased stories of survival and healing through digital media, allowing participants to share their journeys in culturally safe ways.

These narratives were featured at the Link-Up (Qld) 40th Anniversary Gala at Brisbane City Hall and were shared online to engage a wider community. Attendees, both in-person and online, contributed to the project goals of healing and connection.

The project involved creating six different videos: four stories shared by personal clients, a video that showcases the Link-Up (Qld) 40-year journey, and a heartfelt tribute to the organisation's late Chairman, Sam Watson. Link-Up (Qld) also gathered 65 inspiring stories from clients, which were presented along with their photographs on large screens at the gala event. This setup allowed attendees to fully engage with the stories and experience a sense of connection throughout the event.

Visit the Link-Up (QLD) website

Learn more

To find out more about the Healing Foundation’s work across the Stolen Generations' sector, including the Collective Healing Grants, visit the Sector Support page or, if you are seeking local support from an organisation, visit Support from Stolen Generation Organisations.