I presented on our work to improve service delivery to groups at high risk of recidivism. We discussed the overlaps with health programs.

As I waited to go into the meeting, in the lobby of our stakeholders, there was this beautiful painting, ‘Journey of Healing, by Kylie Cassidy (2004). It symbolises the intergenerational trauma of the Stolen Generations. The artist says the colours represent the ‘living landscape,’ with each line signifying the path to the centre, or reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.⠀

First Nations people are over-policed and targeted by structural racism. My research included interviews with First Nations service providers and clients. They stressed the need for culturally safe services delivered by Aboriginal people, and the need to include First Nations people in planning programs from inception, and every step of the way. They also stressed the high burden placed upon Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to respond to policy initatives without adequate resourcing and leadership.