The programme now called We Al-Li evolved out of the need to help heal the individual, family and community pain and trauma resulting from colonial domination and power abuse. The concept behind We Al-Li came from the knowledge that where there is pain there must be healing. We Al-Li wanted to provide a healing approach to the needs of those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presently suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, a medical term which could better be called 'dispossession disaster trauma'. These terms are used to explain the 'dis-ease' and dysfunction of body, mind and spirit which inflict many colonized indigenous people. This chapter outlines the development of that programme and the concepts behind it.

ISBN: 0-275-95131-6