Date and Time
Theme / Track
Presentation Format
Stolen Generations Survivors are faced with significant challenges while ageing within health, disability and aged care systems that were not designed for people who have experienced lifelong trauma, forced child removal and cultural disconnection. Across Australia, many Survivors continue to encounter systems, service models, cultures, attitudes and practices that risk re‑institutionalisation, loss of control, and re‑traumatisation in later life. This ThinkTank draws on evidence from a rapid review of published and grey literature on culturally safe, trauma‑informed and strengths‑based strategies, policies models and approaches to ageing, healing and social support. The analysis is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and aligned with social and emotional wellbeing frameworks and Indigenous human rights principles as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We ask: what would be the key components and actions in an Ageing Revolution if trauma‑informed care, healing and dignity were non‑negotiable foundations of ageing systems for Stolen Generations Survivors? The session will begin with a brief scene‑setting overview of what “ageing with dignity” means for Survivors, informed by evidence and lived experience. Core elements identified include emotional safety, trust and belonging; cultural continuity and care on Country; connection to family, community and other Survivors; spiritual wellbeing; and access to identity, records and truth. Participants will then engage intwo of three facilitated, interactive group discussion activities (60 minutes): Systems Walk‑Through – Mapping key touchpoints across health, aged care and disability systems where Survivors face heightened risks of re‑traumatisation, loss of agency or cultural unsafety. Practice and Policy Dialogue – exploring where trauma‑informed principles are (or are not) embedded in current service models, commissioning, regulation and workforce practices. Co‑Design Sprint – Translating evidence‑informed strategies into practical actions for participants’ contexts, including Survivor leadership and governance, culturally safe service design, integrated and wrap‑around supports, navigation/connector roles, and trauma‑capable workforce development. Proposed Outcomes By the end of the ThinkTank, participants will: Articulate a shared, holistic understanding of dignity in later life for Stolen Generations Survivors. Identify concrete policy, commissioning and service‑design levers that embed trauma‑informed, culturally safe ageing systems. Leave with a draft action checklist for trauma‑informed, Survivor‑led ageing, health and disability services. Strengthen cross‑sector relationships to support sustained, system‑level change. This ThinkTank is intended for researchers, policymakers, commissioners, service providers and community leaders seeking to help drive an Ageing Revolution grounded in healing, self‑determination and justice.
Keywords
Authors