Stephina Salee

2022 Cohort

Stephina is identifying key cultural protocols to support self-determination as a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman; unpacking intergenerational trauma and using her people’s cultural resilience to empower.

Stephina is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from the Kaantju tribe in Cape York, Argun clan in Badu Island and Tharbu clan in Saibai Island. Based in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Stephina works at Bush Heritage Australia.

She has over 20 years’ experience working in areas such as Health, Civil and Mining, Education, Training and Community Development. Her focus is improving the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations people, and reducing their suicide rates, through unpacking intergenerational trauma and strengthening their identity. In 2019, Stephina moved with her family to Nhulunbuy to be closer to her Yolngu people. She is keen to develop the engagement of Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners in private practice settings, as well as incorporating traditional knowledge and medicine within mainstream allied health services.

“I want to look to the past with answers to the future delivery of health services in our communities.”

Social change work

She intends to develop a healthcare model where individuals and community are the drivers of service delivery. This could be a Learning and Wellness Centre or delivering healthcare through unconventional spaces, and incorporating traditional healing and medicine. These would be based on a business model using pre-colonisation governance and frameworks.