About

In 2022, four First Nations women set off across regional locations in Queensland to deliver trauma-informed music workshops to communities, specifically First Nations women, queer and femme-presenting peoples. Founded by First Nations multi-disciplinary artist, Keely Eggmolesse and funded by Arts Queensland. This pilot was met with an overwhelming response; we were able to gauge community perception, practice face-to-face workshop facilitation, hear feedback, build relationships, foster partnerships and ultimately refine our program offering. As a result of a highly successful pilot we have received enormous community outreach across Queensland, interstate and beyond to deliver more Healing Through Song workshops, and with a clear vision at the forefront of community wellness and self-determination for mob we are eager to continue to grow this project into a social enterprise model and towards intergenerational systems.

Mission

Healing Through Song is a movement conducive of real, tangible and lasting outcomes for Mob. We believe in the work we do and lead by example understanding that sovereignty is not simply a spiritual notion but our birthright, a lifestyle and a choice that can be enacted in meaningful ways throughout our day to day lives and beyond. We believe in song as medicine tapping into a traditional holistic approach to health and wellness. We believe song is key to continuing culture - as Lynne Kelly, co-author of First Knowledges: Songlines so eloquently puts it, "art is culture made visible".

Revive Songlines
Revive the time immemorial practice of First Nations storytelling through song
Revive the traditional practices of cultural dance, language, textiles and tool making
Hold space for First Nations women
Facilitate joy
Support the development of new works by First Nations artists
Improve social and emotional wellbeing in First Nations communities
Promote and facilitate sustainability
Support healing
Strengthen a network and facilitate collaboration between First Nations communities
Provide ongoing development opportunities
Provide ongoing support
Engage with regional, remote and discrete communities
Invest in the Blak Matriarchy
Enact sovereignty

Values

Safety - culturally, spiritually, mentally, physically, sexually, financially, socially and emotionally

Inclusivity & Intersectionality - of; mothers, youth, children, elderly, disabilities, LGBTQI+, sex-workers, incarcerated or "at-risk", and broader BIPOC communities

Reciprocity – we all have a purpose and responsibility to each other

Sustainability - optimising opportunities for meaningful and generational wellness & growth

Community - ensuring meaningful outcomes are achieved together with a ripple-out effect

Respect, Honour & Serve – culture, country, community, each other

Family - understand and maintain the importance of family/kinship structures and keeping families together

Sovereignty – prioritising the right to self-determination and enacting sovereignty daily.

With these values in mind, it is essential that the visibility and perspectives of First Nations women are always prioritised.