Women’s Health Grampians acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s First Peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the land and water in which we live, work and play. We recognise that January 26 is not a celebration for all Australians and that sovereignty was never ceded. This day marks the invasion of Australia that resulted in the genocide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and dispossession of their land and culture. The intersection of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, removal from family and community, racism, discrimination, and marginalisation continue to have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We acknowledge today and in all our work that these detrimental impacts fall particularly hard on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
On January 26, we stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We reflect on the importance of self-determination, and of organisations controlled by and run for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. We turn our thoughts to the Warawarni-gu Guma Statement once again and recognise and value the voices, strength and resilience of Aboriginal women of the Grampians region. We are proud and honoured to work alongside Aboriginal people as they continue to lead improvements in health and wellbeing for their communities.
Contact: Marianne Hendron
Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Health Grampians
marianne@whg.org.au, 5322 4100
