Because of Her, We Can

Article | Updated 6 years ago

Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and the roles they play in supporting family and community will be featured throughout the New Museum. 

We are consulting with people from around the State to share stories about women who have influenced the lives of others and championed the rights of Aboriginal people in our State.

So when the theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week was announced we were really excited to get involved and hear more about the incredible women of Western Australia. 

The theme Because of Her We Can, celebrates the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made, and continue to make, to our communities, families, to our history and nation. 

Our staff joined the NAIDOC celebrations at Ashfield Reserve in Bassendean, the Matthews Netball Carnival in Jolimont as well as a pop-up studio at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service to take portraits for WA Faces. 

While taking the portraits, we had some wonderful chats with family members, who told us about the amazing women in their lives. 

My mum is Glenda, she raised me as a single parent while also studying for her degree, her masters and now her doctorate. She donates her time to the community and is an inspiration to myself and others. Mum constantly strives for the betterment of our community and as the NAIDOC Perth Chairperson, she inspires young women to achieve their dreams. I only hope to be half the leader she is in my future. I try to show our mob it's ok to have a laugh and have some fun, mum taught me that. I come from a strong cultural family, so at times I am culturally obligated to lead by example as mum has done for me.

Sam

An inspirational woman in my life is my grandmother, Alice. She was stolen from Kimberley from Argyle (Gija) and moved down to Moore River. She was 13 years old at the time and had to learn English and had to work as a domestic. She was always standing up and talking for Aboriginal rights, she sat on the committee for starting Aboriginal Medical Service and worked at the Aboriginal Advancement Council. She had an amazing life, she really wanted her grandkids to know where she was from and where she lived on Country. We are proud to be her family.

Michael

The photos and words are from all the participants are beautiful and it was a privilege to meet so many strong women and their proud families.