As Gomeroi and Dungutti third generation survivors of family policing, a mother and her daughter describe their lived experience as narrated through perseverance, culture, kin connection and an enduring survivance. This presentation gives an account of an Indigenous mother and social worker who grew up in the family separation system and had her children stolen.

This presentation gives an account from a daughter who was apprehended, culturally alienated from her mother, kin, culture and country for 12 years under the mismanagement of a white out of home care agency and their white foster carer. It will provide an account of lived experience in responding to the racial harshness of a colonial system which continues to police, apprehend and steal black children to this day. It exposes to the audience an example of child apprehension and white out of home care practices occurring in NSW. Cultural responsiveness is demonstrated through the example of 15 years of resistance fighting a white out of home care and dcj department in Newcastle NSW. From this lived experience a mothers phd study has been born. In a mother’s fight to stand up to the colony in fighting for her and her children's sovereign birthrights to be connected. This story is not one of justice, it is one of continued survivance and servitude.

As Gomeroi and Dungutti third generation survivors of family policing, a mother and her daughter describe their lived experience as narrated through perseverance, culture, kin connection and an enduring survivance. This presentation gives an account of an Indigenous mother and social worker who grew up in the family separation system and had her children stolen.

This presentation gives an account from a daughter who was apprehended, culturally alienated from her mother, kin, culture and country for 12 years under the mismanagement of a white out of home care agency and their white foster carer. It will provide an account of lived experience in responding to the racial harshness of a colonial system which continues to police, apprehend and steal black children to this day. It exposes to the audience an example of child apprehension and white out of home care practices occurring in NSW. Cultural responsiveness is demonstrated through the example of 15 years of resistance fighting a white out of home care and dcj department in Newcastle NSW. From this lived experience a mothers phd study has been born. In a mother’s fight to stand up to the colony in fighting for her and her children's sovereign birthrights to be connected. This story is not one of justice, it is one of continued survivance and servitude.

Over the years I have affectionately used the term, ‘Tough Kids’ in my books. This is to highlight our most vulnerable children and young people who are often hurt, confused, and isolated by the unexpected challenges and barriers they face in life. Often the obstacles facing them are a consequence of disability, neurodivergence, trauma, anxiety, disadvantage, poor understandings and more. My desire has been to inform and enthuse parents, educators, and allied health professionals to scratch below the irritation some behaviours may bring and unearth the emotional need the behaviour is expressing. Only then do we receive a wonderful freedom to be a child’s champion.

Too many children, adolescents, and young adults struggle to form authentic relationships or find their tribe. Yet, we know that continuing disconnection and isolation are sure triggers for mental health issues. To do nothing is unacceptable.

So, twelve years ago, Madhavi Nawana Parker and I developed an evidence-based program, ‘What’s the Buzz?’ (www.whatsthebuzz.net.au). It is a simple and flexible SEL approach based on neuroaffirming principles where individuals come together, in a safe, structured environment to have fun, learn, exchange ideas, and to understand the beauty of each other’s diversity. This is a real, practical, and positive way to address the double empathy problem that frequently exists between autistics and neurotypicals.

Currently, ‘What’s the Buzz?’ being used in more than 90 countries, in hundreds of schools, by many health and wellbeing practitioners, and in scores of community/disability based groups. Thousands of vulnerable young people have found, and continue to find connection, friendship, and opportunities to be together.
‘For the sake of better mental health: together we MUST stand’ by creating and holding this space. Let me provide you a glimpse of this collaborative culture. One that can also be seamlessly integrated into many activities educators and allied health professionals do with young people.