First Nations Cultural Healing Program

We’re supporting cultural healing for First Nations communities across Queensland to improve social and emotional wellbeing.

First Nations Cultural Healing Program Grants

The First Nations Cultural Healing Program Grants are supporting healing programs that build on traditional wisdom, knowledge and practice. They focus on opportunities that respond to local needs in Queensland’s First Nations communities.

We awarded $750,000 through the program. This funding is for First Nations:

organisations
community-controlled organisations

and/or

community based not-for-profit organisations.

Why it’s important

Historical and intergenerational trauma continues to impact the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Cultural healing programs provide a culturally grounded approach for communities to lead their own healing pathways. They are restoring connection to culture, Country and identity.

This program promotes wellbeing across generations by supporting communities to:

strengthen resilience
create safe healing spaces
continue important cultural knowledge practices.

How it supports reform

The grants deliver on action 33 of The Queensland Trauma Strategy 2024–2029 . Action 33 aims to grow and strengthen:

community-led responses
awareness and education
on the impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma on First Nations communities in Queensland.

The program also supports the objectives of:

Grant recipients and initiatives

We’re funding 3 First Nations organisations to deliver culturally grounded programs that strengthen connection to:

culture
Country
family
community.

These initiatives support healing from historical and intergenerational trauma, creating sustainable healing pathways for future generations. They build on cultural strengths, resilience and knowledge to enhance social and emotional wellbeing.

Campfire Healing Indigenous Corporation – Yirna Murru Cultural Healing Pathways

Campfire Healing Indigenous Corporation’s program, Yirna Murru Cultural Healing Pathways, is delivering on-Country:
healing gatherings
men’s and women’s yarning circles
Elder-led cultural education
bush medicine workshops.

It’s bringing together Elders, cultural facilitators, young people and families across:

Mount Isa
Boulia
Dajarra
Urandangi
Marmenya.

The program aims to strengthen cultural continuity, build local capability and support sustainable healing pathways in these communities.

Central Queensland Indigenous Development Limited – Strong Spirit, Strong People

Central Queensland Indigenous Development Limited’s “Strong Spirit, Strong People”, is a culturally governed and place-based healing initiative. It’s being delivered across Rockhampton and the Central Highlands.

The program supports:
men with lived-living experience of trauma
people and families affected by child removal
kinship carers
First Nations people with complex needs.

It does this through:

family healing circles
community education yarns
parenting and kinship care groups
men’s cultural mentoring programs.

Murri Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation – Healing Country, Healing Community

Murri Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation is delivering Healing Country, Healing Community in Townsville and Brisbane Inner City. This is a place-based cultural healing program for First Nations People with complex needs.

The program provides:

Elder-led healing circles
cultural mentorship
on-Country cultural activities.

These activities promote safety, identity, reconnection and trauma awareness. The initiative builds community capacity and supports the continuation of cultural healing activities beyond the funding period.