In this episode, Caroline talks to proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue- Anne Hunter. She is a cultural woman, and academic, who is deeply committed to self-determination and advocating for the rights of all First Nations peoples, having attended Harvard and spending the last 18 years working in the child and family welfare services.
They discuss the importance of taking breaks and breathwork, amongst many other things, to cope during lockdown. We are fortunate to hear from Jedda, Sue-Anne’s daughter, and a grounding mediation both she and Sue-Anne made for community to manage uncertainty during lockdown.
They also discuss Sue-Anne’s fascinating childhood growing up with 6 siblings constantly on the move and her longstanding career working closely with and for, Aboriginal communities. Given the many hats Sue-Anne wears, they also unpack strategies to prevent burnout when providing such acts of service.
Finally, they discuss the landmark Yoo-rrook Justice Commission. In May 2021, Sue-Anne was appointed to the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission as one of five Commissioners. Yoo-rrook has been established as an independent Royal Commission and it will focus on truth-telling and healing for First Peoples, by inquiring into historic and ongoing systemic injustices perpetrated against First Peoples in Victoria by State and non-State entities since colonisation, until today.
Yoo-rrook is the first Aboriginal truth-telling body to be established in Australia. When asked what this process means, Sue remarks that this process it’s about the future generations, it’s about justice, creating a more culturally rich Victoria with a new narrative’
To access Sue and Jedda’s meditation, visit the link:
