Holistic Wellbeing

In Indigenous culture, wellbeing is so much more than the absence of disease or poor health, it is a 'holistic concept' comprising of the physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and ecological factors of life (Delpierre, C. 2012).

Through my research, I discovered the protective and risk factors that exist and contribute to the wellbeing of our First Nations People. Protective factors encourage the strength and resilience behind communities such as; social connectedness, living on traditional land, self-determination, passing on of cultural practises, connection to land (Sandal, M. 2020). These elements empower wellbeing and create a strong foundation of core values and principles for the individual and communities. I find it so beautiful to see a culture with such strong respect for nature and appreciation for community.

As you could imagine, the history of our people still to this day has a significant impact on their wellbeing. Risk factors impacting specifically social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, include 'widespread grief and loss, unresolved trauma, identity issues, racial discrimination and physical health problems' (Sandal, M. 2020, p.1). No one should expect this generational trauma to simply vanish, as Martin Nakata emotionally wrote in his journal article, "Better: A Torres Strait Islander's Story of the Struggle For a Better Education",

"Western experts are still naming the game, still identifying the problem, and they are still providing the ‘solution’ on our behalf. Such an educational policy is predicated only on a ‘tourist’s view’ of Torres Strait Islanders and the educational problems we face in our schooling."

In my local community there is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing facility, The Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds, NSW, they offer specific support for social and emotional wellbeing of adults and children through their Social Support Program. This program provides access to a myriad of services from counselling to legal advice to emergency and housing relief. TAC is an amazing institution that provides a 'lighthouse', a safe place to many and is focused on making a difference in lives of all people, and no matter the circumstance, there is something for everyone.

Watch this video to see the heartwarming impact and opportunities at

Tharawal Aboriginal Corp, Airds

Knight, D. (2020). Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation.