We know that trauma experienced by one person deeply affects them physically, mentally, and socially, but few people know that trauma lives on in people's DNA. / (min cost $ 0 ) or signup to continue reading Research from the indicates trauma can cause changes in our molecular processes and DNA. That means the catastrophic consequences of the colonisation and murder of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as separation, assimilation, paternalism and other policies live with Indigenous people in far more than just a symbolic way.
Australia has been trying to close the gap since 2007, but only a handful of targets are on track 17 years later, according to the . I believe one of the key reasons we're so far behind is that those not of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent haven't calibrated their minds and ears to try to understand intergenerational trauma and listen to how it impacts Indigenous people today. It's hard to make a connection with someone who has had the harrowing experience of having their children taken away, or someone who has been ripped from their loving parents and abused in their journey since.
One thing I have learned after speaking with people who have endured experiences like this is that they want to be heard, more-so than they want guilt or pity. needs truth listening and there are lots of great and important stories publicly available for people to listen to. Take the story of Uncle Widdy Welsh who was taken along with his brot.
