Ella: I am a Bundjalung woman, social-impact leader, and creative practitioner.

I am the Founder and CEO of The Returning Indigenous Corporation, an Indigenous- women-mother- led organisation that centres women, families, and care through community programs grounded in culture, Country, and decolonial practice. My work spans arts and culture, wellbeing, leadership, culture and systems change, creating pathways for Indigenous cultural resurgence, employment, and self-determination.

I also am a writer, poet, speaker, and cultural facilitator, using storytelling and creative practice to shift narratives, strengthen cultural continuity, and imagine more just, relational futures.

Ella: My Bundjalung heritage guides how I understand land not as property, but as kin. I grew up with a proud Bunjdlaung mother, who grew me up both on and off country but always with community. From Gadigal to Bunjdalung, we were always around our Indigenous community. This up bringing was the making of my values and beliefs, that inherently went against that of the colonial capitliast system that sees people, kin and country as property to be owned. My connection to Country shapes my sense of self, responsibility, and belonging, grounding my in relational ways of living that honour care, memory, and continuity.  I was raised with respect in my heart not just for my elder, my people but for the home of our more than human kin and our mother earth. Through this connection, heritage is not something I looks back on, but something I actively live—informing how I create, lead, and return to my purpose. 

Ella: I tend to my inner garden through rhythm, not urgency. I listen to Country, honour rest, and return often to practices that keep me connected—story, fire, water, land and community. I find silence in the sounds of nature, I return to gratitude for the magical world that I get the privilege to exist within. I move my body, I dance or I love to dance. Writing is my craft that helps me to express. It tends to my heart and my mind. I always remember the most important part of any garden is soil health and therefore I am always thinking of the food I eat and where it comes from as medicine to the health of my own inner soil. 

Ella: I see this day as a day of great celebration, celebration that in spite of colonial systems that forced themselves onto these lands, we have not only survived but thrived. We have kept our language on our tongues, we have passed down our culture to our young ones, we have danced on the soil and on the desert sands, we have painted, we have sung, we have cared for in spite of a society that told us we were less than human. We have thrived and now my generation and those below have great pride because of those who came before us and held our stories, culture, language as sacred.

Ella: Supporting First Nations people is not just giving once, its about being in a relationship and giving over hundreds of years to our communities who have been taken from for hundreds of years. Indigenous communities and individuals have really only had their voices truly lifted in the past 30 years and our women even less. I say find Indigenous women who are creating organisations, community events and who uphold the care economy and find out how you can support them not just once, but ongoing. 

Stefanie: My name is Stefanie and I am a Bundjalung Yuggera and South Sea Islander woman. I am a local dancer and artist but most of all I am a community member still learning and growing.

Britney: I am Britney, Yuggera Bundjalung South Sea Islander, Cultural dancer, community member.

Stefanie: My heritage guides my connection to land and self by presenting a pillar of innate connection to the land while offering purpose of self. I have come to really identify with my culture and dancing has been such a fulfilling way I have grown within it. I love that I can either present a soft connection or stand strong within my connection to this land for my people and me. It has given me a sense of purpose and I am delighted and honoured that my DNA and ancestors offer me this.

Britney: For myself, it is a guidance and a story of listening and practicing with an understanding. I have recognised my own spirit in the land through continuing my heritage as a deepening cultural practice. The beauty of kinship with the land, is a forever flowing journey to help guide the reconnecting of people back to the land. I experience a love for cultural song and dance, that weaves wisdom of trusting myself, and to share these stories and honour the Ancestors to watch over us. I look back at my path and see the knowledge holders helping me grow in strength, with pride and gratitude for our culture.

Stefanie: By taking moments during the day to slow down and drop in with myself and feel and see the nature around me. Simply as hearing the sounds and feeling the wind or sun on my face. Also being creative by scrapbooking or dancing to music which takes me off my phone.

Britney: Journaling, drawing and nature walks. Little to no talking always helps me to soften to my inner world.

Stefanie: I definitely feel the importance of having awareness of what this date means to our people and to acknowledge this. We deserve respect and to be truly seen for who we are. Not the stigmas nor the stereotypes.

Britney: Be open for a direction of change and growing conversations of how this day may feel different for everyone.

Stefanie: By asking and listening. If there is someone around you that you know, choose to hear what they could have to share.

Britney: Storytelling is a big part of First Nation culture, so allowing space on social media platforms or public events for the community to share these stories is a great way to connect and support.

We ackowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians, the Wudawurrung People of the Kulin Nation of the land in which we work, play and live. We pay respects to their Elders past and present. We also pay respects to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders within the community.