Trauma Trails, Recreating Song Lines

by Judy Atkinson

Taking readers into the depths of sadness and despair and into the heights of celebration and hope, this disturbing account details the trauma suffered by Australia's indigenous people and the resultant "trauma trails" spread throughout the country.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Indigenous, Australia, Social Justice

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Michael Mardel]

Trauma trails by Atkinson. I was fortunate that my wife had a copy. It's a little like reading a train wreck. However, after pages of wrecked lives, there is healing, in an Aboriginal way and not a western one. Instead of spiritual healing, there is spiritual awakening. This book tells you how the transgenerational effects of trauma affected and still affects Aboriginal peoples since white settlement.

[Sally Piper]

By sensitively breaking down the causes and consequences of generational trauma in Indigenous communities, Atkinson offers readers, and policy makers, understanding and options for change and healing.

[Grace Ella]

A very important, powerful and brutal read

[astrid bee]

very powerful read

[Shaazi]

Trauma Trails resonates with my experience of counselling and living in a remote FNQ aboriginal community. I valued Atkinson’s articulate and wide ranging synthesis of the issues and opportunities of offering support to these communities. I am very happy that I lucked onto this book as it is exactly what I wanted/ needed to read to help me with my work.

[Maej]

Re-read. This book has forever changed the way I understand inter generational trauma, especially in the context of First Nations Australians. Aunty Judy’s teachings have profoundly influenced the way I want to support others in my helping profession and my personal cultural healing journey. Very grateful.

[Jenny Kirkby]

3.5 stars. This study/book, through half a dozen specific examples, shares a process for how to heal with a focus on indigenous Australians. It promotes understanding for behaviours that are normally judged as dysfunctional or utilised to generalise/denigrate indigenous peoples that are surviving the impact of colonisation. It left me determined to listen more and judge less.

[Peter Wells]

An accessible account of healing for those affected by trauma.

[Manju K]

Informative. The anti trans book recommendations at the end was a weird departure.

[Leanne]

This should be a key trauma text. Well written, engaging and informative.