On a day of mourning in the remote Indigenous community of Yuendumu, tragedy struck again. A single bullet, fired by officer Zackery Ralph, claimed the life of a young Warlpiri man, kumanjayi walker, which sent shockwaves through the community and across the globe. This modern-day massacre took place as the community laid one of their own to rest, igniting a deep and widespread trauma.

Gan'na Healing, an organisation devoted to the well-being and healing of Indigenous communities, arrived just two days later, sitting with the Elders and community members to process the unspeakable loss. As fear, grief, and anger filled the air, fifty service providers gathered—many unfamiliar with the local cultural protocols, some even making racial judgments against the men whose lives were now overshadowed by violence. 

The community grappled with their pain, asking the essential questions: How does healing begin after such a horrific event? What steps must be taken to rebuild, and who will lead the way?

For years on end, Gan'na Healing worked tirelessly, living alongside the community, deeply listening to their stories and walking with them through their shared grief. It became clear that healing must begin where the fatal shooting occurred and trace back to another haunting chapter of history: the Coniston Massacre, which happened 100 years earlier. By revisiting this past, the community began to weave together their journey of healing, combining traditional Warlpiri practices with the support of Gan'na Healing.

In this powerful keynote address, you will hear firsthand accounts of how the community faced these traumas head-on, how they rebuilt their sense of unity and strength, and how the police officer’s acquittal added yet another layer of pain to an already devastated people. This presentation will challenge the way we understand healing in the face of violence and trauma.