This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/14/richard-weston-indigenous-x

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Five questions to Richard Weston: this week on IndigenousX Five questions to Richard Weston: this week on IndigenousX
(7 months later)
Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.
twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re
inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues
they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during
their upcoming week.
Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?
I’m I’m a Meriam man of the Torres Strait Islands with a shared Scottish ancestry. I was born on the land of the Gadigal people but did most of my growing up on Nyoongar country near Derbil Yerrigan in the suburb of Bassendean.
a Meriam man of the Torres Strait Islands with a shared Scottish I’m a journeyman who has lived and worked: in the Pilbara for six years; I spent 13 years on Bakantji country; 12 months in the country of the Turrubul/Yuggerah people and for the last tree and half years I have been on Ngunnawal/Nagambri country.
ancestry. I was born on the land of the Gadigal people but did most of I’ve been a CEO for the last 13 years working mostly in the Aboriginal health sector but now in the emerging Healing space, which I enjoy very much. I think healing provides a fresh lens through which to view Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and find lasting solutions. Every community I have visited over the last few years raise healing as the most compelling issue that needs to be addressed ahead of improving outcomes in health, education and employment and creating safe communities for children and women.
my growing up on Nyoongar country near Derbil Yerrigan in the suburb of I see my CEO role as one that implements a vision for the future by enabling my team to work to their utmost potential to deliver meaningful change to the lives of our people.
Bassendean.
I’m a journeyman who has lived and worked: in the
Pilbara for six years; I spent 13 years on Bakantji country; 12 months in
the country of the Turrubul/Yuggerah people and for the last tree and half
years I have been on Ngunnawal/Nagambri country.
I’ve been a CEO for the last 13 years working mostly
in the Aboriginal health sector but now in the emerging Healing space,
which I enjoy very much. I think healing provides a fresh lens through
which to view Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and
find lasting solutions. Every community I have visited over the last few
years raise healing as the most compelling issue that needs to be
addressed ahead of improving outcomes in health, education and
employment and creating safe communities for children and women.
I see my CEO role as one that implements a vision
for the future by enabling my team to work to their utmost potential to
deliver meaningful change to the lives of our people.
What do you plan to talk about on @IndigenousX this week?What do you plan to talk about on @IndigenousX this week?
The The need to elevate the investment in healing at the community level by working with our people to design, develop and deliver their own solutions within the framework of a healing strategy devised by the community. I’ll also be retweeting anything I think of interest. Please note that an RT is not necessarily an endorsement.
need to elevate the investment in healing at the community level by
working with our people to design, develop and deliver their own
solutions within the framework of a healing strategy devised by the
community. I’ll also be retweeting anything I think of interest. Please
note that an RT is not necessarily an endorsement.
What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing?What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing?
Our Our people need a vision for the future. The focus of debate at the moment seems to me to be on how to treat symptoms like poor health, violence, suicide, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse. These “symptoms” mask the deeper issues of trauma, grief and loss that are the root cause of disharmony in our communities. Healing provides a fresh lens through which to see our people as being strong and having solutions to the challenges in their communities that bring us back to place of harmony.
people need a vision for the future. The focus of debate at the moment
seems to me to be on how to treat symptoms like poor health, violence,
suicide, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse. These “symptoms” mask
the deeper issues of trauma, grief and loss that are the root cause of
disharmony in our communities. Healing provides a fresh lens through
which to see our people as being strong and having solutions to the
challenges in their communities that bring us back to place of harmony.
Who are your role models and why?Who are your role models and why?
My My first role models are my parents and my sisters because they have shown me how to love and care for others. I have found inspiration in the lives of Mandela, Ghandi, King and Koiki Mabo. I have also been touched by the personality of Jack McPhee, the words of Paul Keating and the compassion of Aunty Lorraine Peeters.
first role models are my parents and my sisters because they have shown
me how to love and care for others. I have found inspiration in the
lives of Mandela, Ghandi, King and Koiki Mabo. I have also been
touched by the personality of Jack McPhee, the words of Paul Keating and
the compassion of Aunty Lorraine Peeters.
What are your hopes for the future?What are your hopes for the future?
To To be able to leave the Healing Foundation as a sustainable presence on the Aboriginal Affairs landscape. I hope that all my children achieve happiness in their lives and that I continue to live a life of meaning and value for many years to come.
be able to leave the Healing Foundation as a sustainable presence on
the Aboriginal Affairs landscape. I hope that all my children achieve
happiness in their lives and that I continue to live a life of meaning
and value for many years to come.