Healing body, mind and spirit - it's about time we took a stand

We have to get away from this way of thinking if we are to make any progress in the future. We must not pass this on, generation to generation to generation. We have too much inter-generation humbug. Inter-generation trauma, inter-generation pain, inter-generation loss. Loss of land, loss of self-respect, loss of pride, loss of dignity and loss of the spirit and the spiritual. And, most importantly loss of role in family and society. Its time we took a stand! We have to rid ourselves of this "false toughness". One thing I can guarantee – if enough of us take a stand it will not take us a generation to fix it.

Notwithstanding complicating factors such as diminished life expectancy and high levels of incarceration, if we want to do the proper inter-generational thing we must take seriously our responsibility to pass on our cultures and traditions down the generations. And we must reject the nonsense that violence, the objectification of women and other anti-social behaviours are the "Aboriginal way".

Let’s just get this absolutely straight. Violence is not ‘blackfella way’. We simply have to stop corrupting our cultures in this way. Culture is a safe, sustaining thing – not a site of misery and woe for our women and girls.

Women and girls are precious to any society, we have to value, appreciate and support our women. We have to understand their worth to us not treat them like rubbish!

Ever wonder why it is that so few women are represented in peak bodies such as ATSIC? There are so few that we are virtually squandering half our human talent and resources. The notion that men should lead our organisations and make decisions while the womenfolk look after our children, too, is nonsense.

One thing I cannot emphasise too much is for each of us to understand and accept that we are going to need help from each other and from others. One thing I can absolutely promise, if we are able to clearly demonstrate our resolve to turn things around, our women will be right there – behind us with their support. I know they want to help but we have to start helping ourselves first.

We Indigenous men have to start trusting each other in a different way. We have to start acknowledging the considerable strength and resources we have amongst us – men with strong traditional knowledge and/or professional skills.

We also need acknowledgment of another kind. Acknowledgment of unacceptable behaviour and a willingness to do something about it. We simply have to stop excusing abusive behaviour, speak up, say something, don’t let this violent silence strangle us and who we are or who we know we ought to be. We must destroy the abusive cycle before it destroys us.

As Anthony Franks has said:

We also need each other because the sheer weight of our disadvantage and the gravity of this particular problem demands cooperation and partnerships between Indigenous men and women our relevant organizations (like our magnificent, hard working, under-funded medical & health services) and also with the mainstream services, providers and policy makers.

Taking a stand means accepting that our actions must be long-term and takes account of our diversity. We have to begin, and some of us already have, that journey to healing our bodies, minds and spirits. Remember: a journey never seems as long when you walk it with others.