Bugalma Community Healing

PROGRAMS

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ABOUT

Bugalma Community Healing

Our Bugalma Community Program offers Indigenous health and wellbeing retreats and community days for Elders, mothers and community members. Bugalma means ‘to heal’, we invite Indigenous participants to attend and gain the opportunity to heal and reconnect to culture, community and Country.

Through this program we decolonise ‘wellness’ spaces and create accessible, community-centred care that is Indigenous-led, culturally-safe and trauma informed. We reclaim our cultural ways of caring for our Elders and our mothers.

These programs are provided at no cost for participants and we welcome donations to support the ongoing viability of this program.

This program is supported by Arts Northern Rivers and Create NSW Creative Koori Projects.

Our Elders Health Retreat Program provides much needed rest, nourishment and wellbeing support to local Indigenous Elders who have been caring for their families and communities for decades.
Each year, we invite 10 matriarchal Elders to attend four health retreats, providing continuity of care and increased opportunity for deep healing. The retreats are 100% Indigenous-led and are culturally-safe spaces for our Elders to heal in.
Recognising our cultural obligations to care for our Elders, this program is run free of charge for participants. We are grateful for the support of Mullumbimby Herbals who provide free naturopathic consultations and at-cost herbal medicines for our Elders at each retreat.

NOMINATE AN ELDER
Led by qualified Indigenous facilitators, these free health and wellbeing community days provide monthly opportunities for Indigenous mothers, sisters and Elders to receive holistic health and wellbeing treatments, education and care.
Held once a month at the Koori Mail in Lismore, the days provide wellbeing treatments, organic meals, yarning circles and weaving in the culturally-safe and community-connected space.
If you would like to join our community days, please contact us.

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Testimonials

Aunty Deidre Currie

“It was so nice to getaway and be treated to massages and facials and beautiful food, I loved meeting all the new aunties and listening to their stories , I love to sit and listen to stories about all their beautiful connections, the stories and the knowledge they have.”
Aunty Tania Marlow

“I enjoyed the time here with these strong woman, so of the aunties i got to meet was really good, its time out for me from by busy busy life.”
Aunty Charlene Boyd

“I look around at the aunties and see how vibrant they look after two days! Fresh from the massages, facials and belly laughs at night. Food was magic. It was a good opportunity for me to get to know more aunties that I haven't met before or only seen briefly. Absolutely amazing!”
Aunty Rose - ElDERS RETREAT PARTICIPANT

“I have never felt so cared for in my entire life… having access to Country and to just be still and relaxed, it brought me to tears.”
Sophie Taylor - COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING DAY PARTICIPANT

“I was held and nurtured by women who care and understand. I walked out of the event with more energy to give my daughter and community than I had in months. The program gave me a moment for myself to refuel. I am so grateful.”
Jataya Bolt - COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING DAY PARTICIPANT

“It was like a relief from my soul and i needed it because I've been going through a lot this year and it's just a lot of pressure. You feel more comofrtable and more welcome (getting treatments done by other blak women).”