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Growing the djäkamirr mala

Writer's picture: Dr Sarah IrelandDr Sarah Ireland
Yolŋu Country, Northern Territory, 11 August 2024

In partnership with the Australian Doula College we have returned to deliver Djäkamirr Training to the second cohort of students.


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. (R-L) Redistributing luggage to meet airline baggage restrictions, boarding the plane; and getting the best seat and leg room on the whole plane.


On arrival at the airstrip we were met with the new shiny Prado and crossed paths with Dr Emily Armstrong leaving on the same plane. The new car is a game-changer for our team who now have exclusive access to a vehicle to support the delivery of djäkamirr program and community research activities.


We rapidly started planning for the week and all-hands on board for cleaning up the training venue.

We rapidly started planning for the week and all-hands on board for cleaning up the training venue, only slightly complicated by there being no running water. In a low-resource setting everyone needs to roll up their sleeves and get involved....even when the rubbish bin is stinky and filled with flies!



Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. (top) the new Prado, (bottom R-L), training team Res McCalman, Renee Adair and Sh'ana Constable planning and team work while dealing with the stinky bin.


We are now halfway through the training and have already covered so much ground. We have been learning and exchanging knowledges around the topics of:

  • Assessment Plan

  • Guiding Cultural Metaphors

  • Yolŋu Creation Story

  • Djäkamirr Practice

  • Reflective Cycle

  • Yolŋu Rom

  • Supporting a miyalk on their journey

  • Woman's Ceremonies and knowledge

  • Sacred anatomy

  • Fertility

  • Pregnancy Care

  • First and Second trimester loss

  • Yolŋu style childbirth



Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) Renee Adair from the Australian Doula College teaching and explaining the Djakamirr Sit-Down Bag and the Office Sandwich Board.


With the training on pause over the weekend, we have time to discuss and plan the next steps for the project.

With the training on pause over the weekend, we have had time to discuss and plan the next steps for our project over the coming months. It's been great to do this on-country away from distractions and close to Yolŋu ŋatha- food sources.



As the sun goes down on Sunday, we are feeling refreshed and ready for another busy week of djäkamirr training!


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. On-country project planning and discussions.


Learn more with these links:


Colleagues


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20 ago 2024
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