The School welcomed Marrawarra and Barkindji Elder, cultural educator for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, and father of nine Brendan Kerin to the Term 4 staff Professional Development Day to share his wisdom, wrought from harrowing life experiences as a second generation “stolen generation” Aboriginal person.
We also welcomed Impact Policy Founder and Director and father of five Sam Alderton-Johnson, who delivers strategic advice and guidance, communication and engagement services, specialising in Aboriginal communities and government policy. He has worked closely with Police Citizens Youth Clubs, Australian Red Cross, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and
the Department of Planning Industry and Environment.
Sam is as also the founder of Spark Jiu Jitsu in which he reinvests and fundraises for the provision of sport and recreation programs that are accessible for all young people in the Redfern and Woolloomooloo communities.
We thank Brendan and Sam for educating us on the reality of intergenerational trauma, on how to acknowledge country with authenticity, and on the progress being made as we work together towards progressing the healing of individuals and communities whose ways of life were changed irrevocably by white settlement.
At IGS, we are glad to work towards a united Australia enriched by the generous sharing of valuable cultural practices by descendants of the world’s oldest living culture.
