Supporting women in leadership

A number of representatives from West Arnhem Land attended the 2021 Strong Women for Healthy Country forum hosted by Mimal Land Management, Jawoyn Association and Banatjarl Strongbala Wimun Group in May.
First held in 2019 after women across the NT asked for a space to share stories, the now yearly forum is intended as a meeting place for women who are bound together in journeys of healing, caring for Country and self-determination. 
The focus areas of the 2021 forum, which was held on Jawoyn Country, were communication and governance.
Over 280 women, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, were able to come together for this 5 day forum, including women living in Maningrida, Gunbalanya and Jabiru communities. 
The forum provided excellent networking opportunities as well as a space for emerging leaders to hear from strong female leaders from across the Northern Territory. 
Yarning circles focusing on cultural governance enabled participants from Maningrida and Gunbalanya to learn about governance structures that exist in other Aboriginal communities and how this could be shaped for Maningrida and Gunbalanya.
Other yarning circles spoke about how to care for Country and how caring for Country ties into caring for one’s self and one’s family. 
A special component of the event is the Gundung Mural which was created during the first Strong Women for Healthy Country forum in 2019. The mural is made up of five panels of canvas; representing night, fire, sun, earth and water. Members of the Mimal community generously donated the Dreaming Story of the Gundung. The 2021 forum saw message sticks created and painted to explain how leadership is carried from woman to woman.
It was a pleasure hearing from Minister Selina Uibo, who was able to speak about how her portfolio supports female Rangers in the NT and the importance of local decision making across the Territory. 
Members of the Ripple Effect Band, Department of Chief Minister & Cabinet and West Arnhem Regional Council were proudly able to represent the West Arnhem local government area of the Territory. 

West Arnhem Regional Council would like to thank the Department of Chief Minister & Cabinet for their assistance in providing equipment, transport and support during the week.
West Arnhem Regional Council would also like to extend thanks to Mimal Land Management, Jawoyn Association and Banatjarl Strongbala Wimun Group for all of their efforts leading up to the event, their hard work during the week and their ongoing perseverance in supporting women in leadership. 
If you, your workplace or community group are interested in attending this forum in the future, check out Mimal Land Management’s website and their Strong Women for Healthy Country page.