#16 A Resilient Life: Shirli Congoo on Grief, Culture, and Leading with Strength

In this conversation, Stewart interviews Shirli Congoo about death, grief, and a cultural context of her experiences in her community. Shirli shares her personal experiences of losing loved ones, including four brothers and a nephew, and how these losses have impacted her at various ages and stages in her life.

She discusses the cultural obligations and responsibilities that come with death in First nations communities, including supporting the grieving family and doing very practical things to share the load. Shirli also talks about the importance of the kinship system and the ongoing supportprovided by the community. She emphasises the joy and fulfilment that comes from helping others and the role of faith in her journey.

In this conversation, Shirli shares her experiences as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian and how she navigates the intersection of her culture and faith. Shirli also discusses the challenges of grief and the need to include and support young children and teenagers in the grieving process. She highlights the significance of creating ceremonies and involving kids in the healing journey. Shirli's story and her wisdom offers valuable insights into supporting others through difficult times.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. That death and grief are sadly all too common experiences in First Nations communities, and there are complex historical issues that contribute to the prevalence of these traumas.
2. How cultural obligations and responsibilities play a significant role in supporting the grieving family and community members.
3. The kinship system is an important aspect of First Nations communities and provides clarity of roles, support and care during times of loss and grief.
4. Supporting others and contributing to the community can bring a sense of joy and fulfilment.
5. Faith can provide strength and an anchor during difficult times.
6. Creating ceremonies and involving kids in the healing journey can be transformative.
7. Setting healthy boundaries is important for self-care and maintaining emotional well-being.

... and much more.

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NB For special contacts here in Australia related to suicide and First Nations support services    .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}