FIRST NATIONS WOMENS SUMMIT SCHOLARSHIP EXTENDED TO SHARE YOUR VOICE

A landmark event for First Nations women in Australia is set to take place next month.

The Wiyi Yani Thangani National Summit has been described as a once-in-a-generation platform for agreement-making.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani means ‘Women’s Voices’ in the Bunuba language from Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Over three days from 9-11 May 2023 on Ngunnawal & Ngambri country (Canberra), First Nations women will be addressing the priority areas identified in the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Report, a comprehensive report developed in December 2020 following extensive engagement with Indigenous women.

The summit’s theme is ‘we are the change’ and will provide an opportunity for Indigenous women to discuss issues identified in the report which are health and wellbeing, economic empowerment, leadership, and culture and identity.

Strategic Summit Coordinator and Torres Strait woman Rachelle Singleton says that it will showcase innovative gender-responsive initiatives.

“The Summit is going to be like an opportunity for change to achieve First Nation gender justice,” she said.

She describes it as a space for collaboration and decision-making with multisectoral stakeholders from governments, academia, business and more.

“There's over 500 that we're expecting and we’re being funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to sponsor approximately 200 First Nation women and girls to attend as well,” Mrs Singleton said.

Participants will engage in action-based and solution-orientated workshops and dialogues, listen to inspiring keynotes and panels and, together, determine the way ahead.

General registrations and applications for sponsorship are available to participate in the most significant national gathering of First Nations women from Countries across Australia.

The deadline for the sponsored positions has been extended until the 2nd of April.

At the Summit, serious commitments and lasting relationships will be formed across these diverse sectors to invest in the vital work identified through Wiyi Yani U Thangani, guaranteeing it is made real and drives systemic change over the long term. 

First Nations women and girls' voices are vital to paving the way for a future, and more information and registration for the summit are available online.