The Value of Deep Listening - The Aboriginal Gift to the Nation | Judy Atkinson | TEDxSydney

Judy Atkinson is an expert in understanding inter-generational healing and recovery from trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At the core of this moving talk, she describes her approach to healing. It’s about listening. In order to heal, the stories behind the trauma must be heard.
Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson retired from formal academic work at the end of 2010. She researched and co-authored the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Task Force on Violence Report for the Queensland government. Her book, Trauma Trails - Recreating Songlines The transgenerational effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia, was shortlisted for an Australian Human Rights Award.
In 2006 she won the Carrick Neville Bonner Award for her curriculum development and innovative teaching practice. In 2011 she received the Fritz Redlich Award for Human Rights and Mental Health, from the Harvard University Global Mental Health Trauma and Recovery program, of which she is a graduate.
She is presently Patron of the We Al-li Trust, as she continues to work across Australia and in Papua New Guinea on community based violence - trauma specific recovery programs. She worked with the University of Wollongong in the development of specialized postgraduate programs such as the Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Trauma Care and Recovery Practice designed specifically to build an Indigenous trauma skilled workforce.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Aussieshazagirl]

Tears are rolling. This is so beautiful, raw & inspirational. We HAVE TO do something for our true land ppl. We have to give them back their true culture... LISTEN TO THEM WITH AN OPEN HEART.

[@TheTozano]

I wish more people had watched this beautiful message before the referendum.

[@ahamoments132]

Thank you! Yes, we do feel that pain fgrom those impacted and that impatience when realising the listening still isn't happening.. It is just months now from when Australia chooses that our First Nations brothers and sisters deserve to be heard through a Voice. My tears flow now for your stories from the past but also for the news that so many, even today, are not willing to give Fist Australian peoples a voice. Please let there be a turn of the tide. I feel blessed for every word of wisdom that an indigenous person is willing to share with me... that takes so much trust and forgiveness from them. I am deeply Sorry, I am deeply grateful. I heard Dadirri from a beautiful aboroginal woman that i was blessed to share lunch with.. A woman who has spent much energy listening to those of the stolen generation and working tirelessly to 'bring them home'.. How I wish our nation was equally caring, and talked quietly, but listened well.

[@agentoz]

This talk is an amazing gift.

[@nancyrodi6817]

Simply beautiful - seeking truth and doing justice!

[@mihaelabors3369]

Very important for us everything she said! I am happy that in public are many young persons! I hope they will be more clever than us indeed! My deeply respect!

[@aletheiawildwood4782]

This talk deeply moved me and has inspired me to look more intently at my own prejudice and inherited wounds. THANK YOU!

[@profdavidclark]

Brilliant!

[@expukpuk]

I have been in the business of listening for some time now. It is unless to listen, unless there is a noise around.

[@walkingwithin]

Beautiful!!!

[@tleemf6923]

My entire body ...felt and will continue to feel every word. I ve just shared this on my Facebook feed which I've been off of for 2 months ....with your presentation I made mention of the son ,born to my dearest most troubled and magnificent and difficult and strong Soul sister ...the tradgedy that bevelled her upbringing in a white family the addictions and murders if her mom and dad and her twin sister at birth ....the passed on genetically charged genes into her son my son our son of her first born daughter who found addictions to numb her pain at 13 now 28 and on the streets , mom son now living in harm reduction housing .The friend I am accompanying to his bail sentencing tommorrow which he is thinking of missing so he will end up in jail ,and be forced then to quite his drinking smoking and newly growing meth addiction ...he has several bad wound not healing well ,he's lost his internet and has no phone and lives in a tiny room in a rooming house ....he just wants to be somewhere where his thinking is done for him...his sobriety forced on him😥 I have 2 dear native friends murdered wrong place wrong time years back ...so much racizm , prejudice, horrific treatment by police by doctors by foster parents and mean children at school and cold hearted adults scowl in disgust at folks on the street not knowing that prostitution street life and addiction brings out super powers in people .. sadly to witness such skill to survive without homes or nine to fives, without anyone at home to care if your gone or still here....MY LIFE as a white woman surrounded by native friends has been enriched by each and everyone of their lights...and thou my life is really challenged by the the layered complexities of mental health and addictions of my son and was partner still trying to be friend weigh heavy on my heart and my own mental health dayly...The LOSS of those friends now passed in ways that could have been prevented...I WOULD NOT TRADE anyof it ,for a life without them in it!!!! I simply Long ...ACHE ...PRAY for them... all of my native friends ...my SON ....for them to RIZE rise up into the healing that will begin from their grieving😔 🖤✨🤲🔥💔👁️✊👁️💔🔥🤲✨🖤

[@saskiademoor8400]

Under anger is always grief. I want to remember that each time anger speaks out. Thank u Judy!

[@AnthonyDilloncrossroads]

If only that were true.

[@SlapPa9]

Grief derived from grievance. Not grief of sudden loss of loved one; for example. It is quite true that anger stems from grief because I and you and anyone who has experienced a grievance caused by someone else usually manifests this emotion externally.

[@topgurl9313]

society needs people like her who value what and who is ignored 👏

[@listeningin7857]

My deep respect and gratitude that your heartfelt inspiration and wonderful work over all these years. May we all learn to practise deep listening.

[@AnthonyDilloncrossroads]

Just the usual regurgitated rhetoric.

[@thecraftylaughed8081]

Pokémon poor it on now

[@steveboy7302]

+Anthony Dillon coconut

[@AnthonyDilloncrossroads]

@@steveboy7302 when desperate and lacking a logical argument just call me a coconut

[@steveboy7302]

+Anthony Dillon you are against your own people you think whites will accept you as one of them your good to them as long as your useful

[@drd.n4695]

When we focus deep within ourselves, the outside transforms ... can't get any better. Every challenge is a spiritual exercise waiting to be embraced ...

[@kerriepurcell489]

What an articulate and powerful presentation. Very moving and motivational.

[@katrinadorman9899]

May your talk be listened to and heard.

[@eener-rebma8082]

I’ve tried to explain the way you listen with language, it’s in your gut, I guess it’s safe to go that deep when others do... hard to translate aye... it’s like you feel to hear and you speak to understand... I also reckon the digg is the first binaural beat... Dreamtime is the place they are calling the vortex or the place to manifest from... it’s cool tho because people are understanding our culture... it was hard for the old ones to articulate and even I find it tricky but we will bridge the gap between our hearts. Great talk. What a great person to have on side aye! Love from wiradjuri county.

[@mataafa1]

Beautiful ❤️

[@JaspalSingh-bh9td]

DO NOT CALL THRM ABORIGINAL ACTUALLY THEY ARE ORIGINAL AND OTHER EUROPEAN IN AUSTRALIA THEY ARE FROM NOWHERE WHOM YOU CALL ABORIGINAL THEY CAME IN HERE 50-70000 years ago and oldest civilisations on the planet, PEOPLE PLEASE STOP TO IGNORE OR MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF HISTORY 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@paulinebryant1549]

Thankyou very heartfelt and caring. God bless.

[@meghnamahadevan5818]

this ted talk is literally this woman benefitting from and getting exposure and learning lessons from someone else's stories. yes these stories need to be told, but not by this lady. give the platform to First Nations people and to the people whose stories they are to tell. None of these stories are your own

[@cicicox5995]

It has been a privilege to hear this thank you

[@tombombadillooo]

absolutely nailed it. beautiful and necessary message.

[@emmamildred]

Wow - this is amazing

[@louisecass3737]

You heal you people when your elders let your young know how you can heal peacefully and take your country back and teach your grief your young your elders that I listen to you and many listen to you and I and much respect you . I want your to get your country back . I need you people to be strong enough to have the confidence that I feel confident to vote for you to teach us us about your couture and make a statement before I die. You mob deserve to help those who don't want to be judged. I had no Joyce to be born here. I'm not discriminating about you now please don't blame me for your past. I'm not your past I hope to be a part of your future you can't move on if you live in the past your future your knowledge your spirit your past grief is all is my respect for you all

[@InyourLifeTeam]

An incredible gift. Truthful and resonate. Thank you, Sister.

[@purepranasam]

Just beautiful. Thank you

[@keitheverett1200]

Thank you Dear Judy, this reminder is so important to us at this time, deep listening, understanding, respect and love. We have a long way to go in our country, new leaders who will act and bring peace and understanding. My deepest respect, Jim

[@poppyfuller2695]

That was a fabulous soul moving speech..so truthful..thank-You ,,this world needs more people like you

[@helmutgensen4738]

I feel I know you, Judy. Thank you kindly

[@0sh3n]

Incredibly beautiful... thank you for mentioning Madiba and connecting this story to South Africa, where we need, so desperately, the ability to listen deeply, and heal the centuries of trauma, shame, dispossession, grief, anger, pain... My only argument is at the end where Judy says we need to raise leaders... No, we need to raise individuals who don't need leaders. "Truth is a pathless land" - J.K.

[@maddihalley9256]

Im crying my eyes out soundslike my mums story julie ann ,, alice elaine never loved her 😢so much pain id love to learn how to paint x❤

[@tulifranz9336]

Nothing stays as it is. The day will come when the oppressor's world wide will be called to book.

[@strayanmade3351]

Nitjar listen wahhhhhh ! Hello my Noongar people ! That is why creatures have 2 ears & 1 mouth ! This yorgah speaking is lovely ! THANK YOU MISS ! GOD BLESS YOU ! 🙌 Koort (the family) importance !

[@rarnirothwell4009]

Thank you

[@qtmelly2012]

Thank you so much for this talk.

[@Roger-go6jc]

My mind shares this gift. But it needs to be within most of us, AND as she said within the minds of our leaders. IMAGINE. A mental state of equality and coexistence. What a gift to humanity.

[@jenw1936]

Powerful, thank you. I want to know more.

[@emmajones9470]

i hope everyone who clapped at the end went home and to this day, listens.

[@davidjohn9006]

A person I hold in high regard.

[@monsieurlewop]

"All aboriginal languages have a word for listening." Astonishing. We have so much to learn.

[@jenc4007]

thank you for sharing!

[@rebeccalutshaba419]

So powerful, we have so much to learn!

[@eunicejones2688]

Thank you

[@tleemf6923]

THANK YOU ....SO DEEPLY🤲💓🤲

[@williamsutherland9669]

What did i just watch🤔

[@RiazLaghari]

We should listen more!

[@graciehart1001]

Wow 💗

[@jmando8]

That was incredible

[@raymondalbert909]

AMEN!!!

[@pav5355]

thank you judy

[@nicolaapps6889]

I love you Judy xxx

[@richardblankenship5481]

62

[@r.v.k.6932]

Wow.

[@charlesdare2046]

South Africa is the worst example of the kind of society we want to have ~ Her heart is in the right place to work across Australia and in Papua New Guinea on community based violence - trauma specific recovery programs.Shame she is so misguided about that last piece of her talk .

[@BloodyMaori]

Right. So because she doesn’t share the same perspective - she’s misguided? The arrogance 😂

[@beeankha]

sounds like you've completely missed her point. That South Africa still has so much injustice and racial tension is what she means by leaders who come after who can't listen with compassion. That is the warning.

[@dinohrasilva8814]

We have already created a whole generation that is unable to listen! Now for generations they will have to seek their own destiny in a hostile environment that they have themselves created or ascribed to it. May God Bless these Souls. It’s my children and offsprings. The grief is there.

[@brucegordon5312]

Does anyone know of a language in the world which doesn't have a word for listening?

[@brucegordon5312]

@@capital_beaz4725 I didn't ask what her point was...learn to read

[@carolineatkinson15]

ahh but within our mobs across Australia, our Aboriginal languages our words for listening are different, for example in the Bundjalung language the word for listening is Ganna i however it is the meaning that is significant it means listening with the ears, heart, feet, wanting to listen, wanting to understand