IWD 2021: what to say?

We’ve been humming and hawing over what to say about International Women’s Day. We feel enraged by the hideous events plaguing Canberra and are sort of annoyed that IWD has to exist at all.

The only positive thing we feel like we can contribute to the conversation today is these portraits taken by Bo Wong of the intelligent, modest, insightful women we have worked with over many years on Groote Eylandt.

We’ll use today as an opportunity to acknowledge the wisdom and to say thank you to Colleen Mamarika, Cherelle Wurrawilya, Melissa Cooper and Elaine Mamarika.

These women are helping to shape their communities into places of opportunity and optimism. Collectively, they have taught us so much about this country and how to operate as an ally to our First Nations people.