Local Indigenous leaders host healing circle in Geraldton to yarn and move forward after referendum result

Community members grieving the Voice to Parliament referendum result joined forces this week to come together for a community healing circle in a bid to move forward. A candle was also lit and the healing circle observed a minute’s silence to mourn the recent death of Meekatharra teenager Cleveland Dodd, who attempted suicide in his cell inside Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison and later died in hospital. The urgency to shut down Casuarina Prison’s Unit 18, the Stolen Generation, failure to teach traditional languages and overcoming the referendum result were some topics discussed at the healing circle gathering at Rock’s Laneway on Wednesday. Lawyers attended the event and expressed their concerns for juveniles sent to Casuarina Prison, claiming most Unit 18 detainees were from regional WA. The group was encouraged to write to the State Government and sign a petition to close Unit 18. More than 50 people attended the community healing circle to listen carefully to the voices of First Nations people left mortified at the overwhelming No result to the Voice referendum. First Nations communities across the country have called for a National Day of Solidarity on Wednesday, October 25 to discuss how they will move forward after a proposal to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution was voted against on October 14. At the healing circle, people spoke out about their hurt, disappointment, frustration and even the trauma they say was relived due to the referendum outcome. It was a time for the community to come together and yarn about issues affecting First Nations people, they said. The circle was not about blame, but rather a safe space to speak openly about Australia’s history. Before the discussions began, Naaguja Karrajarri woman Rayleen Councillor took the circle through breathing exercises to expel any tension. Everyone was asked to plant their feet on the ground and feel the connection to country.