I was inspired into the field of trauma healing by a remarkable woman, Judy Atkinson.
Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson is a Jiman (central west Queensland) and Bundjalung (northern New South Wales) woman, with Anglo-Celtic and German heritage. She lives in Goolmangar, New South Wales. Judy manages the remarkable initiative, We Al-li Healing Programs.
Judy’s book Trauma Trails Recreating Songlines: The transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia quite simply changed my life. The book provides context to the life stories of people who have been moved from their country in a process that has created trauma trails, and the changes that can occur in the lives of people as they make connection with each other and share their stories of healing.
As a result of reading Judy’s book, I developed the educational initiative Sharing Culture, which focuses on the healing of historical trauma. Judy and her daughter Carlie agreed to become Advisors of Sharing Culture and wrote moving Testimonials.
I was lucky enough to meet Judy in Katherine (see photograph) when I was meeting new friends (including Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann) in the Northern Territory. Later, a group of us spent three days together at the Barunga Festival. I learnt so much in those days, and the time that I drove back to Darwin with Judy. I look forward to seeing Judy again and meeting Carlie, with whom I often speak on Facebook, for the first time.
This is the first of a selection of videos that I will post in the Healing Blog (and which you can see in our Healing Video Gallery). They are my favourite videos relevant to healing and trauma. I can’t think of a better person to ‘lead off’ this part of the website. Normally, I will have something to say about the video. Not here—Judy says all that needs to be said.
Please find some time to sit and watch this powerful presentation.