Women’s Business

Our Women’s Business Program is designed to reconnect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mothers to traditional Cultural Practices. We do this through story, art, mindfulness, movement, dance and Dadirri meditation. At Gunawirra we believe that connecting with our Cultural roots will help to heal past trauma, and therefore help stop future family trauma. We explore Women’s Business from the time a woman is able to physically start her own family, all the way until she takes her most momentous last breath.

“It is the beginning of a beautiful journey I feel I have commenced at Gunawirra. As a proud Wiradjuri/Irish/Scottish/Danish/Mexican woman, I am thoroughly enjoying working at Gunawirra. I am able to share all of my cultural tools from all over the world with special focus to my Aboriginal Cultural ties. It is so rewarding to see the Mums and kids leave with a spring and purpose in their step.”

Eve White | Women’s Cultural Facilitator at YAMP

What is Women’s Business?

Our Women’s Business Program is designed to reconnect/connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mothers to traditional Cultural Practices. We do this through story, art, mindfulness, movement, dance and healing circle meditation. At Gunawirra we believe that connecting with our Cultural roots will help to heal past trauma, and therefore help stop the future family trauma. We explore Women’s Business from the time a woman is able to physically start her own family all the way until she takes her most momentous last breath.

The Healing Circle is an important part of Aboriginal Women’s life, learning from other women and gathering together. When we sit in a circle it is so no one is behind and no one is in front but we are all equal, our ancestors then sit around us. Yarning is a conversation that flows in a positive direction adding to another’s idea, interjecting not so much interrupting. Done in a circle whilst weaving, painting, preparing food, ultimately creating together.

Connecting to Country

At Gunawirra we are passionate about connecting the mums and children with Aboriginal culture. We do this initially by creating relationships, making it feel like a home away from home. We use art, story, meditation, healing circle and dance to connect, heal and learn deeper layers of self and the world around us. Connecting to country is a big part of the Aboriginal way of life pre-colonisation. It is a truly wonderful way to reconnect and remember our traditional ways. We have a beautiful outdoor space where we have been planting some native plants where we watch the children plant, water and watch the plants. During lockdown we brought the Mums online and continued to strengthen our learnings and relationships with these modalities.

Connecting Body, Earth and Spirit

In Aboriginal dreaming we connect the body, earth and spirit. Drawing upon these cultural ways of being is something we can transfer into all aspects of life. Connecting to Country means caring for our bodies, the earth and the spirit. We encourage the Mums to be mindful with the foods they choose to eat and help encourage them to eat traditional foods. Treading lightly on this land is an important part of connecting to it, as when our earth is sick so too are we. A big part of Aboriginal dreaming is connecting in the spirit of past, present and future. Healing Circles help to take time to connect and live more mindfully through deep listening and deep contemplation.

Women’s Business

What is Women’s Business?

Connecting to Country

Connecting Body, Earth and Spirit

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