Truth-Telling & Healing
Healing starts with truth. At Buneen, we create safe spaces where hard conversations can lead to unity and stronger organisations
What We Do – Truth-Telling & Healing
Truth-telling and healing are critical for building trust within organisations and communities. When stories are silenced, unresolved conflict and fractured relationships can prevent progress. When stories are heard and respected, people can begin to move forward together.
At Buneen Consulting, we design and facilitate truth-telling and healing processes that allow difficult conversations to take place in ways that are safe, respectful and productive. Our role is to create the conditions where truth can be spoken, healing can occur, and unity can be rebuilt.
At Buneen, we walk alongside organisations to rebuild relationships through truth, healing and accountability
Our Approach
Our methodology draws on Aboriginal truth-telling practices where listening, cultural authority and safety are central. We use the SAFE + BRAVE framework to ensure conversations are grounded in stability and trust (SAFE), while also calling people into accountability and transformation (BRAVE).
The Facilitation Process
1. Enquiry Phase – Listening and Understanding
We begin by engaging leaders, staff and communities to understand what needs to be spoken, what barriers exist and what outcomes are hoped for.
Deliverable: A facilitation plan shaped by the voices of participants.
2. Action Phase – Creating the Space for Truth
We design and facilitate forums, yarning circles or structured dialogues where truth-telling can occur in safe, respectful conditions. Healing is supported through structured reflection, cultural authority and strengths-based processes.
Deliverable: Facilitated truth-telling sessions, supported by cultural frameworks and practical commitments for change.
3. Maintenance Phase – Sustaining Healing and Trust
We ensure the outcomes of truth-telling are not left in the room. Follow-up processes include leadership commitments, staff feedback loops and ongoing cultural safety practices.
Deliverable: A clear pathway for maintaining unity and accountability over time.
Why It Matters (Evidence)
Reconciliation and Governance: The Productivity Commission (2020) highlighted truth-telling as essential for trust and effective governance in Aboriginal organisations.
Workplace Cohesion: Research shows unresolved conflict lowers engagement and performance. Facilitated processes that build psychological and cultural safety improve collaboration and outcomes (Edmondson, 2019).
Community Trust: Reconciliation Australia (2022) confirmed that truth-telling is central to reconciliation and building respectful relationships between organisations and Aboriginal communities.
Healing Impact: The Lowitja Institute (2019) emphasises that cultural healing practices reduce intergenerational trauma and improve wellbeing.
Expected Outcomes
When organisations engage in truth-telling and healing facilitation, they can expect to see:
Stronger relationships between boards, staff, members and communities.
Improved trust and reduced conflict.
Leaders who are accountable and equipped to act with integrity.
Healing pathways that acknowledge pain and create room for growth.
Clearer alignment between organisational purpose and community expectations.
