Group heals and makes life brighter

A new initiative at a South Hedland health service aims to equip indigenous individuals and families with the skills to heal from issues associated with trauma.

Wirraka Maya Aboriginal Health Service indigenous family healing program officers will hold the second healing workshops from Tuesday, June 10 to Friday, June 13.

Entitled We Al-li, the workshops will be facilitated by Professor Judy Atkinson, a Jiman and Bundjalung woman who has dedicated her life to understanding trauma-related issues stemming from the violence of colonisation and the healing/recovery of indigenous peoples from this trauma.

Next month's activities follow five days of holistic healing workshops held at the health service's wellbeing centre earlier this month.

The free program was aimed at indigenous women and teenage girls who took part in a variety of activities including wreath making, colour and art therapy, meditation, flower arranging and dance.

During the sessions, participants "yarned" or talked about a number of personal issues associated with childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, concerns about drugs and alcohol, loss of land and being a part of the stolen generations.

A spokeswoman for the initiative said domestic violence and sexual abuse were recurring themes.

"The women were able to express their feelings through a safe and nurturing environment and were able to move into a more positive place within themselves," she said.

"With this being the first of many healing workshops to be held at Wirraka Maya Health Service the results have been significant, creating a positive foundation to build upon."

The spokeswoman said by the end of the activities, the women were dressing in brighter colours, had improved appearances and were applying communication skills at home.

"It takes time for new ideas to take root and grow, but with practice it will create self-empowerment and constructive changes in their lives," she said.

For more information about the upcoming program, contact the indigenous family healing program officers on 9172 0444.