VALE UNCLE JACK CHARLES: “He will be dearly missed.”

 

The Healing Foundation, media release, 13 September 2022:

VALE UNCLE JACK CHARLES: STOLEN GENERATIONS SURVIVOR WHO DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HEALING OUR NATIONS

The Healing Foundation pays tribute to the legacy of the great Uncle Jack Charles, following a life dedicated to healing for Stolen Generations survivors, their families, and communities.

Uncle Jack was himself a Stolen Generations survivors who was taken from his mother as an infant and spent his lifetime reconnecting with family and Country as shared his life and stories with the world.

The Healing Foundation Board Chair Professor Steve Larkin acknowledged the role Uncle Jack played in Stolen Generations healing movement.

“Uncle Jack was an inspiration to us all, so generous in sharing his life and his stories,” Professor Larkin said.

“He was an Uncle to all, and worked alongside The Healing Foundation from the first day, ensuring messages of healing were shared with his beautiful storytelling and endearing charisma.

“He will be dearly missed.”

The Healing Foundation Stolen Generations Reference Group Chair Ian Hamm paid tribute to Uncle Jack as a true statesman who dedicated his life to healing our nations.

“When I heard of Jack’s passing, I cried.

“Jack, through telling his own life story, shone a bright light in the darkest corner of our national narrative - that of the stolen children.

“He did this without anger, but with purpose and the deepest of compassion.

Thank you, Jack, for just being you.”

It is with deep sadness that The Healing Foundation acknowledges the remarkable life of Uncle Jack Charles and his work and dedication to the Stolen Generations movement.

In sharing our sympathies and respect for Uncle Jack and his family, The Healing Foundation has paused access to videos on our YouTube channel that feature his voice until the mourning period has passed.

The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address trauma caused by the widespread and deliberate disruption of populations, cultures, and languages over 230 years. This includes specific actions like the forced removal of children from their families.