Ya'Djin Women's Collective is a sisterhood of First Nations survivors,
responding to the needs and dreams of our people, our way.
Our Creation Story
Ya'Djin Women's Collective empowers First Nations survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Family Violence across Jagera, Turrbal, and Kabi Kabi Country, and beyond. We advocate for systemic change while fostering cultural reclamation and community care.
We’re a sisterhood of strong courageous woman who as empowered and informed advocates, of domestic and family violence and sexual assault (DFV&SA). We collectively work together to walk with our community to reclaim safe spaces and break intergenerational trauma as a result of sexual, domestic and family violence.
Within our collective cultural strengths, we create safe spaces for healing and recovery, self-care and creativity embodying our ancient practices of yarning, weaving, dancing, singing, sharing of meals, connecting with and on country and just being together in our strength of womanhood.
We share lived experiences of trauma and survival of sexual, domestic and family violence. We continue to strengthen our knowledge of causes and effects of trauma, especially trauma as a direct result of violence including First Nation’s healing and recovery practices. Our intent is to build the capacity of our women - sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and aunties - within their respective families and communities.
We draw from the wisdom of our elders and sisterhood, especially our matriarchs who continue to teach, guide, support, advocate and fight for our women. We join in their aspirations to break generational trauma to raise the next generation of strong men and women who thrive in every aspects of their lives.
We have a mandate to reclaim space that continues to be dominated by non-Indigenous agency and with respect through mutual aspirations and commtiments, we strive to work as equal partners for the women for which we advocate. In this reimagined and reclaimed space we transform every person we encounter by the love, hope and strength of our cultural practice which we continue to pass on to our next generation.
In the beginning
The Ya’djin Women’s Collective officially commenced on the 27 August 2023, as the women who had continued to hold space made the decision to formalise the collective and investigate becoming a legal entity. This also included seeking genuine partnership with the Women’s Community Aid Association (WCAA). This decision was made by the women in attendance, during the “Cultural Match to Governance” process, facilitated by Olivene Yasso.
Prior to this, the collective of First Nations women had continued to hold space after the initial 8 week, Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivor Support Centre (BRISSC), “First Nation Women’s Healing Cultural”program, which ended in late 2021 with an Art Exhibition in Wooloongabba. During this time the women continued to hold space at South Brisbane every Thursday morning and they grew in numbers and achieved many goals. YWC honour the women that have participated in the development of YWC from the art program, to Ya’djin Wongu/Wong to the now Ya’djin Women’s Collective.