Marumali Program®

Journey of Healing for First Nations Families

Bringing families together to heal, reconnect, and strengthen bonds through culture, shared learning, and community support.

Understanding this Marumali Program®

The Marumali Program® – Journey of Healing for First Nations Families is a culturally grounded, resilience-based healing program designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in restoring social and emotional wellbeing. This program invites families to draw upon ancient sources of strength and cultural resilience to heal from the intergenerational impacts of colonisation and the Stolen Generations, and to create new ways of being in contemporary Australia.

By strengthening connections to Country, culture, community, family, spirit, and identity, the program fosters healing, renewal, and a pathway forward that respects the past while building a stronger future.

“Our people have left us deep roots, which empowered us to endure the violence of oppression. They are the roots of survival, but not of constriction. They are the roots of which all growth is possible. They are the roots that protected our end from the beginning.” – Dodson, 1994

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Learn

The Journey of Healing for Families program is based on a resilience-building model that empowers families to:

Recognise the transgenerational effects of trauma – Understand how the impacts of colonisation and forced removals have shaped family structures, identity, and social and emotional wellbeing.

Draw upon ancient sources of healing – Learn how Aboriginal cultures provide a deep well of knowledge and strength that supports healing and resilience.

Restore family connections and cultural identity – Strengthen relationships within the family unit and reconnect with Country, language, kinship, and cultural practices.

Bounce forward, not back – Explore resilience-based family interventions that empower families to create a new, strong foundation for the future.

Support young people’s social and emotional wellbeing – Understand how strong cultural connections improve mental health, educational outcomes, and employment pathways for young people.

Skills and Knowledge You Will Gain

Building a healing-focused family culture

Learn how families can work as a healing team, supporting each other’s resilience and growth.

Restoring social and emotional wellbeing

Strengthen protective factors that promote wellbeing, identity, and belonging.

Mentoring and knowledge-sharing within families

Develop the skills to pass cultural knowledge and healing practices onto younger generations, reducing the long-term effects of trauma.

Creating new pathways for growth

Learn practical strategies for strengthening family structures, fostering community support, and ensuring a strong cultural foundation for future generations.
This program provides a safe and culturally strong space where families can reflect, share, and grow together, building a future rooted in cultural resilience and strength.

Participant Outcomes

Who Should Attend?

This program is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who want to reconnect, heal, and strengthen family and cultural ties. It is designed for:
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Families impacted by intergenerational trauma looking for a structured healing process.

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Parents, Elders, and caregivers wanting to restore social and emotional wellbeing for themselves and younger generations.

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Young people seeking a stronger sense of identity and cultural belonging.

What Participants Are Saying

The Marumali Program helped my family understand our past, reconnect with our culture, and move forward with strength and confidence. It gave us the tools to heal together.

How It is Useful?

This workshop fills a critical gap in family-focused healing programs, aligning with national priorities in Closing the Gap and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing strategies. By drawing on deep cultural knowledge and fostering resilience-based family healing, the Journey of Healing for Families provides a pathway forward for stronger, healthier communities.