Alliance Making, Djäkamirr Graduation & Co-op Opening
- Dr Sarah Ireland
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Yolŋu Country, Northern Territory, 26 October 2025.
Like the seasons that are on the cusp of change, our project is also shifting — moving from a research initiative into a Yolŋu-owned maternity companionship service. It’s a milestone worth pausing for, a time to look back on years of listening deeply, challenging respectfully, and pushing forward with heart and purpose.
Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Island sunset at prospective Birth Centre site Galiwin'ku.
Waminda Visits Yolŋu Country
Recently, the DJÄKAMIRR Co-op Ltd welcomed Waminda to Galiwin’ku to learn about the cooperative model, growth of the djäkamirr service, and the shared vision to return birthing to the island.
Waminda is a national leader in the Birthing on Country movement. They’ve secured funding and started construction on Australia’s first Aboriginal Birth Centre in Nowra, NSW. Our team has travelled twice to Nowra and learnt from Waminda about their history and Birthing on Country maternity care model.
Their story and determination strongly echo in our project — a commitment to empower women, uphold culture, and bring birth back to where it belongs: on Country.
Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) Sarah Ireland, Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama and from Waminda Cleone Wellington and Faye Worner.
Celebrating the Djäkamirr Graduates
Waminda joined Co-op and Molly Wardaguga Institute research teams for an afternoon gathering on the proposed Birth Centre site to celebrate two major achievements:
The Certificate II graduation of nine djäkamirr trainees.
The official beginning of the DJÄKAMIRR Co-op.
Community support made the event possible. With assistance from Tammy, the Community Development Program (CDP) team built beautiful shade shelters, prepared a bush oven, and supplied cold drinking water. The Connected Beginnings team helped with transport and a sound system, while local families donated freshly caught fish and the Co-op/Molly Wardaguga Institute provided root vegetables, and roo tails for a shared meal.
Despite the rising midday heat, Gumurr’dhangiyunamirr Board members Rose and Elaine worked tirelessly in the bush kitchen to prepare, wrap food parcels and on-site manage the bush oven cooking.
It was a timely reminder of what collaboration and care can achieve together.
Photo credit: Sarah Ireland and Jessica Davis. The team preparing and cooking the fish, roo tail and vegetables in the bush oven.
A Few Classic Challenges
Of course, the day had its share of challenges.
The seasonal build-up, heat and humidity was intense, and more than one vehicle got bogged on the sandy access road. At one stage, it looked like the event might have to be cancelled - especially when the winch handle was identified as missing! But the resourceful CDP crew came through, unbogging cars and tracking down what was needed to get everyone on site.
By late afternoon, with the sea breeze cooling the air, everything was ready.
Marking a Moment of Transformation
The gathering was overseen by Professor Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama and documented by our project's videographer Pat Josse.
As afternoon sunset colors changed, Yirritja and Dhuwa manikay (songs) were sung, and students from both moiety groups stepped forward to receive their certificates from Renee Adair of the Womb to Tomb Foundation. Each graduate having completed six days of face-to-face training in Galiwin’ku and demonstrated practical skills in pregnancy, birth, and postnatal companionship.
Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Far left: Renee Adair from the Womb to Tomb Foundation and Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama handing out awards at the sunset graduation.
The evening closed with a shared meal and dancing as the sun set over the island. One graduate djäkamirr, dressed in a beautiful gold and white dress, stepped forward to perform a special dance — a moment of pride and celebration as the last light faded below the horizon.
Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Djäkamirr graduate dances at sunset.
Our Yolŋu-innovated djäkamirr care model strengthens the caring connections and intergenerational knowledge sharing between Elders, djäkamirr, mothers, and babies. Our team lives this nurturing approach every day — working together with respect, mentoring djäkamirr, and role-modelling the same care and compassion the service offers to women on their reproductive journeys.
Importantly, the Certificate II training not only prepares graduates for djäkamirr djama (work), but builds reproductive health knowledge and literacy that ripples throughout community.
Photo credit: Pat Josse & Sarah Ireland. (L-R). Fish of the day with Cleone Wellington, Sarah Ireland & Faye Worner; Sharing a meal after student graduation and Pat filming the event.
Why the Co-op Model Matters
The Co-op structure is a game-changer - offering a culturally aligned, community-driven alternative from otherwise restrictive Western systems. You can learn more about the obstacles the Co-op model overcomes in our previous blog post. The Co-op allows the djäkamirr vision to take practical shape while staying true to Yolŋu values.
We’re deeply grateful for the support of Sam Byrne and the Co-op Federation, who continue to nurture capacity and guide us through this next phase of growth.
Building an Alliance for the Future
Although Waminda’s visit was brief, it sparked a strong connection.
A formal alliance is now being developed, with Waminda offering mentorship and resources to help the DJÄKAMIRR Co-op achieve service delivery excellence and, ultimately, build a Yolŋu Birthing and Healing Centre.
This alliance is about shared purpose — women supporting women, communities learning from each other, and birthing returning home to Country.
Learn more with these links
Colleagues
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