AJ Williams-Tchen provides Mental Health First Aid training to groups and organisations; and cultural awareness training to health professionals. Throughout all this work, AJ makes sure participants spend time listening to each other’s stories. AJ believes in the power of storytelling as our most powerful tool to drive social change. He practices this himself and describes his experience as a member of the Stolen Generation. When you hear his story, you realise that, in AJ’s words: “History is so recent”.

Note:

This episode was prepared before the announcement of the details of the Australian referendum about a First Nations Voice to Parliament. You can read more about the background to this referendum here: https://ulurustatement.org/

LINKS

26 January is a day to reflect on our nation’s true history: Watch AJ Williams-Tchen describe what January 26 means to him:

https://www.aasw.asn.au/social-policy-advocacy/reconciliation

AASW 2004 statement of apology to the Stolen Generation: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/618

Mental Health First Aid: https://mhfa.com.au/

Girrraway Gangi consultancy: https://www.girrawayganyi.com.au/

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The AASW respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and on-going custodians of the land on which this podcast was recorded. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and families, and to Elders of other communities who may be listening.