Torres Strait Island communities have this week launched a roadmap to healing with priority solutions that have been designed by community members.
The healing solutions are found in reports by the communities of Kaurareg, Masig and Iama who partnered with The Healing Foundation and the Mura Kosker Sorority to address community disharmony and distress caused by colonisation.
The Healing Foundation CEO Russell Taylor said the impacts of colonisation require long term investment to match the long term impacts.
“Torres Strait communities have developed their own healing solutions with actions that ensure these reports do not sit on the shelf and get forgotten as previous reports have,” Mr Taylor said.
“The impacts of colonisation were strongly felt by Torres Strait communities and have been expressed through lived experience and shared stories. Healing is seen as critical to achieving positive community outcomes.
“Healing needs to be supported with funding but the practice must also be based in cultural knowledge and traditions of the Zenadth Kes and Kaurareg peoples.”
Mura Kosker President Regina Turner said the healing forum reports were a live document written by community for community and were a beacon for service providers like MKS.
“In cold-face of hardships, we have provided time and a safe space for difficult conversations to occur without fear of backlash or being judged,” Ms Turner said.
“Our families – women, men, children and leaders played a pivotal role to lead positive change and healing in communities – we walked side by side.
“It starts with us – as an individual, in the work we do, the position we hold within our family kinship structure, in our community, to reach out – keeping our families safe and strong.”
Media are invited to join the Kaurareg healing forum report launch on Thursday 26 September 10am-12pm at the Thursday Island Bowls Club, 93 Victoria Parade, Thursday Island QLD.
The Healing Foundation CEO Russell Taylor is
