Who We Are?

The Balunu Foundation (Balunu) is an indigenous owned and operated, not for profit, registered charity based in Darwin in the Northern Territory. Balunu's vision is to break the cycle of indigenous disadvantage by targeting the youth of this generation and reconnecting them to their true identity, dealing with the underlying issues they face and equipping them with the necessary tools to make strong choices. Balunu strives to increase the self-esteem, confidence and emotional and spiritual wellbeing of indigenous youth to assist them to become strong, balanced individuals who will create strong families and positive pathways for future generations.

Balunu seeks to expand existing program delivery into complementary areas of demand in line with OID priority outcomes and funding availability. Expanded program delivery will include specific projects targeting mental health; substance misuse; education; training & employment.

The larger vision of the Balunu Foundation includes the establishment of a remote healing retreat where long term residential healing programs can be delivered. The vision also includes the establishment of an urban place of maintenance where follow up work with youth healing program participants can continue on an ongoing basis with access to complementary education, training and employment programs that are critical for the delivery of the holistic healing process.

The operation of a safe house for homeless indigenous children is also one of the long term goals of the foundation along with the development of social enterprises that will engage indigenous youth in on the job training and employment.

Our Name
The name Balunu comes from the Luritja language of Central Australia. The word Balunu means creation. The creation of strong youth, strong leaders, strong culture and strong community for the future by breaking negative cycles and creating positive ones.

Our Logo
Our logo represents the elements that come together to create everything that is. On the ochre sands we gather and in the red circle we heal. The large dots represent the elders who have come to teach the youth about our traditional ways, the small dots represent the youth.

The spiritual ancestors flow from the four directions, giving spiritual guidance and wisdom to heal the people. The star represents the healing process and the creation of a new beginning, to heal and empower our people.

Our Vision To break the negative cycle that fosters Indigenous Disadvantage by: Relieving distress, suffering and mental illness in Indigenous people through holistic mental and spiritual healing; Creating positive cycles of cultural empowerment for our youth, promoting healing, harmony and spiritual well being; Uniting and empowering Indigenous people by creating a positive future for Indigenous youth and culture; and Providing a balance to empower and strengthen the spiritual well being of Indigenous youth, giving them choices and the opportunity to create a positive future through nurturing, guiding, mutual respect and love.

"Healing our children, ensuring our future".
David Cole, 2010