GUNAWIRRA’S MISSION
Gunawirra’s mission is to work towards a world where respect and dignity of personhood matters; where equality of opportunity matters, regardless of race, colour or creed. Where wrongs perpetrated are acknowledged not the issue of who did what to whom, but what can we do to redress this for our future. Where mothers and infants are given a “fair go” so that they can do a better job with their kids than their parents did with them. Where dads lift their heads in dignity, and no man or woman or child need ever be ashamed of who or what they are; that the Aboriginal of many cultures may find again their spiritual core and cultural base in a way that gives them pride.
In Gunawirra we see our role as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal working together side by side, so that we can break this terrible trans-generational cycle of poverty, violence and abuse. We know Prevention starts during pregnancy; Early Intervention, with your infants and preschool children means a better future. Our vision is to ensure our Aboriginal parents and their children are nurtured and provided with emotional support to empower them to assume their full and rightful place in Australian society. Our continuous work is the prevention of violence or violation of each Aboriginal’s person-hood. This stands at the centre of all our work. We hope as a result of our early intervention, loss of self esteem will be replaced by increasing confidence; instead of serious disorders we will have increased understanding and self care; that suicide ideation will be replaced by a pride in self.
We know it will take generations, but for every moment of connection there is a future where it is remembered and sought out again. With healing, dreams can be dreamed and emotions that were too painful can be held and suffered. We know that anything one does in this work is measurable in minute moments of personal empathy, in moments of psychic pain shared between two people and in the witnessing presence that allows pain to be suffered. It may take generations, yet in any moment of healing between two people, moments of transgenerational trauma are healed, the dream is allowed to be dreamt, hope has the potential to come into being, and your infant, toddler, or child has the potential to live a meaningful life.
United, Mothers, Fathers and Infants, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, Board and Workers, Professionals and Volunteers, we together in Gunawirra will work for this goal.
This is our mission!