First Peoples' justice
We seek: First Peoples' justice
We seek a world where First Peoples are treated as equals and can take control of their future.
An equal society
The First Peoples of Australia have lived with inequality and injustice for more than 230 years.
Despite being the original custodians of this country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are often denied their fair share of its natural resources. They are rarely invited to the table to make decisions that affect their lives and lands. And despite surviving colonisation with great resilience, the First Peoples of Australia still face stark disadvantage.
Together, we can work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as they pursue equality.
people were mobilised to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in achieving self-determination and closing gaps in healthcare, education, and housing.
Real lives: Meet Katina in Australia
“When you think about health, we’re not only talking about ... physical health, we’re talking about mental health, our social and emotional wellbeing, like our spiritual health."
Building connections and collaborating with women from all over the Kimberley region were front and centre of Katina Coffin’s mind when she attended the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council Roundtable in Broome in November 2023.
Yawuru woman, Katina, works in sexual and reproductive health.
“My job is that I deliver a lot of sexual health education to young girls. I think it’s really important, especially just knowing about our reproductive health, because that’s what makes us women,” Katina said.
“I think my passion is health in itself, because you know, you have to look after yourself. When you think about health, we’re not only talking about ... physical health, we’re talking about mental health, our social and emotional wellbeing, like our spiritual health.”
Being at the Roundtable highlighted the importance of advocating individually and collectively.
“Something I learnt from the Roundtable which really stood in my mind... was that you need to speak up for yourself,” Katina said. “Because if you don’t speak up for yourself, then someone else is going to speak on your behalf, and that might not necessarily be what you want voiced. So, if we’ve got a voice, we’ve got to use it.”
Katina’s cultural identity is central to her life and she wants to pass this on through the generations.
“What I love about my culture is, you know, it's my identity. I know I’m Yawuru, I know I come from Saltwater Country,” she said.
“Just being brought up on Country and learning these things and then passing it on to the kids, and you know that’s the way that you interact with your kids, just teaching them the same things that you’ve been brought up doing. I just love that you can feel the shift ... women are bringing up other women now.”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Straight Talk connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with Australia’s political system, building their capacity as change makers. With a focus on practical tools, connection and confidence, Straight Talk works towards First Nations women making positive change through political and public engagement.
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2023–2024
In November 2023, more than 130 women from around the Kimberley region gathered in Broome for the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Roundtable, organised by the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council (KAWC). The KAWC represents the diversity of women and girls from the Kimberley and works to deliver aspirational programs that are deeply designed and led by women from the region. The KAWC also works to influence government, policy and decision-makers.