We kicked off Day 3 of our Yanalangami Yawuru Program at the Yawuru Cultural Wellbeing Centre, Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa.
‘Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa’ means ‘a place to go for feeling’ in local Yawuru language, and we instantly felt relaxed, connected, and embraced as we walked into the beautiful space. Decorated with stunning Aboriginal artworks and native flowers, the space emanated serenity and safety.
Once there, we were joined by the deadly SoFL women, leading to a gathering of 50+ First Nations women all connecting and sharing together.
After getting to know each other a little better, we were treated to a powerful panel focusing on First Nations female leadership, acknowledging we are one year on from the devastating ‘First Nations Voice to Parliament’ referendum result.
The incredible panelists included:
Aunty June Oscar AO, proud Bunuba woman and Chairperson of The Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Gender Justice Institute 2024
Vickie Parry, proud Gomeroi woman and Chief Executive Officer at Barang Regional Alliance
Divina D’Anna MLA, proud Yawuru, Nimanburr & Bardi woman and Member for Kimberley, Australian Labor Party
Fiona Jose, proud KuKu Yalanji & Torres Strait Islander woman and Chief Executive Officer, Cape York Partnership Group, and
Dr. Belinda Russon, proud Yugambeh woman and Chief Executive Officer, Tranby Aboriginal Co-Operative
This phenomenal panel was facilitated by Cherie Sibosado, proud Nyikina & Bard woman, and Chief Executive Officer, Aarnja.
The audience sat enthralled, hanging onto every word from these deadly women, all leaders in their Communities, as they shared their insights into leadership and what it means to them.
Vicky shared vulnerably about her family’s history, and how they came from Gomeroi Country to live on Darkinjung Country. She shared her passion for access, education, health, training, participation, and employment for First Nations people, and how she makes positive change happen on the Central Coast.
Davina laughed with us about her superpower – ‘putting up with the bulls*it’. Being able to be in a predominantly non-Indigenous industry and having to cope with daily racism and barriers to equality for our people. She highlighted the challenges and barriers faced by First Nations people living in rural and remote Communities with lack of funding and access to services. Davina shared her passion of advocating for our mob, for truth telling, and equal rights and opportunities.
When asked ‘what message would you tell your younger self?”, Fiona shared ‘that I am enough, I am worthy’, a lesson that we all deserve to learn and embrace, and one that takes most of us decades to accept.
Belinda shared with us about her passion for education and empowerment of First Nations people, and how proud she is of Tranby’s Yanalangami Program and the sisterhood it has created.
Aunty June shared about life after the referendum, the grieving period after the no vote was handed down, and how she got back up again to continue fighting.
The incredible panelists shared what leadership truly means to them, and we all reflected on what we have been told leadership looks like. These deadly women all prioritise truth telling, genuine connection, and uplifting others as part of their leadership style. We all learned so much from Aunty June, Vicky, Davina, Fiona, and Cherie, and it was so inspiring to be in space with such deadly leaders!
After the panel, it was time for our Yanalangami Yawuru Changemakers to graduate from the program! They shared openly with us all about how transformative this journey had been and what they had learnt about themselves and each other over those few days.
Our Yanalangami Team are so overwhelmingly proud of, and grateful for each and every one of our Changemakers and our Yawuru Aboriginal Advisory Council members for leaning in, being vulnerable, embracing themselves and each other, and for growing a beautiful, loving, and supportive Jijahood!
We are so grateful to have had this life changing experience, and we know we will have our sisters and Aunties walking this journey with us for life.
With much love and deep respect,
The Yanalangami Team
