Report on Establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation - Voices from the Campfires 

Establishment

1. That an independent, national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation be established to address the transgenerational cycle of trauma and grief in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as a result of colonisation, forced removals and other past government policies.

Scope

2. That the Foundation identify and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing initiatives, at the community level and in response to community needs, by providing funding and workforce development.
3. That the Foundation conduct health promotion and public education activities in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing, including skills training in the prevention and treatment of trauma.
4. That the Foundation contributes to an evidence base for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander healing through community-driven and culturally-appropriate research and evaluation.

Independence

5. That, to ensure the Foundation’s independence from government, it be established as an Australian public company limited by guarantee, its funding be provided in full at establishment and it seek public benevolent institution and deductible gift recipient status.

Implementation

6. That the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation Development Team incorporate the Foundation as soon as possible and form an interim Board, made up of no more than four members from that Team, with responsibility for establishing the Foundation, including seeking specialist advice, drafting establishment documents and preparing for its inaugural annual general meeting in December 2009.
7. That an independent selection panel, made up of no more than six well-respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, be established with the responsibility for selecting the nine-member inaugural Board.
8. That the selection panel carry out an open, national and merit-based selection process to appoint the inaugural Board, including a Chair and Deputy Chair, by 1 December 2009.
9. That the selection panel inform the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs of the outcome of the selection process before appointing the successful candidates.
10. That formal responsibility for the Foundation pass from the interim Board to the inaugural Board at the Foundation’s inaugural annual general meeting in December 2009.