Kimberley She'ro

Dr Ngardarb Francine Riches is a descendant and elder of the Bardi Jawi and Karajarri people from the West Kimberley, born and raised in Derby, Sunday Island and One Arm Point. Over the past 30 years, Dr Francine has heavily involved herself in the Arts, this includes painting, producing Sculptures (Public Art), conducting Art Therapy sessions and illustrating Children’s books. As an Indigenous consultant, she offers support on a variety of projects.Inspiration for Dr Francine’s work comes from creation, the natural world God has given us and the ability to create something beautiful. To engage Dr Francine, or to find out more information, you can visit https://specialisedindigenousservices.com.au OR email specialisedindigenousservices@hotmail.com Or call 0433 130 851

Dr Ngardarb Francine Riches is a descendant and elder of the Bardi Jawi and Karajarri people from the West Kimberley, born and raised in Derby, Sunday Island and One Arm Point. Over the past 30 years, Dr Francine has heavily involved herself in the Arts, this includes painting, producing Sculptures (Public Art), conducting Art Therapy sessions and illustrating Children’s books. As an Indigenous consultant, she offers support on a variety of projects.Inspiration for Dr Francine’s work comes from creation, the natural world God has given us and the ability to create something beautiful. To engage Dr Francine, or to find out more information, you can visit https://specialisedindigenousservices.com.au OR email specialisedindigenousservices@hotmail.com Or call 0433 130 851

Dr Ngardarb Francine Riches is a descendant and elder of the Bardi Jawi and Karajarri people from the West Kimberley, born and raised in Derby, Sunday Island and One Arm Point. Over the past 30 years, Dr Francine has heavily involved herself in the Arts, this includes painting, producing Sculptures (Public Art), conducting Art Therapy sessions and illustrating Children’s books. As an Indigenous consultant, she offers support on a variety of projects.Inspiration for Dr Francine’s work comes from creation, the natural world God has given us and the ability to create something beautiful. To engage Dr Francine, or to find out more information, you can visit https://specialisedindigenousservices.com.au OR email specialisedindigenousservices@hotmail.com Or call 0433 130 851

Lena buckle Fraser was born in Beagle Bay mission in the West Kimberley and is connected to the Nykina , Walmatjarri , Nyul Nyul people of the Kimberley region. She’s 80 years of age , but is also the youngest of 10 children ! Lena is a multi talented woman, who has had a full life and enjoyed many rich experiences. She shares her recollections of growing up in the Kimberley, under a different era, and some of her fondest memories of the past . She is well known as a lover of life, and is a widely loved Elder within our region .

Lena buckle Fraser was born in Beagle Bay mission in the West Kimberley and is connected to the Nykina , Walmatjarri , Nyul Nyul people of the Kimberley region. She’s 80 years of age , but is also the youngest of 10 children ! Lena is a multi talented woman, who has had a full life and enjoyed many rich experiences. She shares her recollections of growing up in the Kimberley, under a different era, and some of her fondest memories of the past . She is well known as a lover of life, and is a widely loved Elder within our region .

Lena buckle Fraser was born in Beagle Bay mission in the West Kimberley and is connected to the Nykina , Walmatjarri , Nyul Nyul people of the Kimberley region. She’s 80 years of age , but is also the youngest of 10 children ! Lena is a multi talented woman, who has had a full life and enjoyed many rich experiences. She shares her recollections of growing up in the Kimberley, under a different era, and some of her fondest memories of the past . She is well known as a lover of life, and is a widely loved Elder within our region .

Thelma Norman is a Mirrawong- Gajerrong woman born at Rosewood Station, now living in Kununurra, East Kimberley. After Thelmas Mum died young, Thelma was sent to Forrest River Mission which was operated by the Anglican Church. Thelma had an enjoyable childhood, growing up in the bush, especially enjoying life with all the other children who were at Forrest River, before entering the workforce. At almost 75, Thelma yarns about her life story and recollections. She has recently retired, and spends her time with her family, including many of her Great-Grandchildren. She enjoys their company and they keep her ‘young’!

Thelma Norman is a Mirrawong- Gajerrong woman born at Rosewood Station, now living in Kununurra, East Kimberley. After Thelmas Mum died young, Thelma was sent to Forrest River Mission which was operated by the Anglican Church. Thelma had an enjoyable childhood, growing up in the bush, especially enjoying life with all the other children who were at Forrest River, before entering the workforce. At almost 75, Thelma yarns about her life story and recollections. She has recently retired, and spends her time with her family, including many of her Great-Grandchildren. She enjoys their company and they keep her ‘young’!

Thelma Norman is a Mirrawong- Gajerrong woman born at Rosewood Station, now living in Kununurra, East Kimberley. After Thelmas Mum died young, Thelma was sent to Forrest River Mission which was operated by the Anglican Church. Thelma had an enjoyable childhood, growing up in the bush, especially enjoying life with all the other children who were at Forrest River, before entering the workforce. At almost 75, Thelma yarns about her life story and recollections. She has recently retired, and spends her time with her family, including many of her Great-Grandchildren. She enjoys their company and they keep her ‘young’!

Pastor Karen Skinner is a Nyikina woman from the West Kimberley. She a Mum of 5 daughters, and ‘Mim’ (‘Grandmother’) to many. She calls Looma Community her home. Karen is a respected Elder throughout our region, and is known for her healing prayers, and her passion and love for sharing the Word of God and encouraging others in the Faith. She relaxes by ‘going bush’ and you might even find her by the side of a riverbank with a fishing line, trying to catch dinner.

Pastor Karen Skinner is a Nyikina woman from the West Kimberley. She a Mum of 5 daughters, and ‘Mim’ (‘Grandmother’) to many. She calls Looma Community her home. Karen is a respected Elder throughout our region, and is known for her healing prayers, and her passion and love for sharing the Word of God and encouraging others in the Faith. She relaxes by ‘going bush’ and you might even find her by the side of a riverbank with a fishing line, trying to catch dinner.

Pastor Karen Skinner is a Nyikina woman from the West Kimberley. She a Mum of 5 daughters, and ‘Mim’ (‘Grandmother’) to many. She calls Looma Community her home. Karen is a respected Elder throughout our region, and is known for her healing prayers, and her passion and love for sharing the Word of God and encouraging others in the Faith. She relaxes by ‘going bush’ and you might even find her by the side of a riverbank with a fishing line, trying to catch dinner.

Pat Mamanyjun Torres is a Yawuru and Djugun women living in Broome. Pat grew up in Broome and spend a lot of her growing up years surrounded by older people and learning from them. As a result, Pat has become a wealth of information and loves being an educator and sharing knowledge with people, including being an author. Pat is especially passionate about language, culture and sharing her knowledge about the value of bush tucker – an industry that she has been learning about for about 30 years. Pat is the CEO of Mayi Harvests, including harvesting the superfood Gabiny (Kakadu Plum). As a Kimberley business woman, Pat can be engaged for catering, workshops and more throughout the region and beyond.

Pat Mamanyjun Torres is a Yawuru and Djugun women living in Broome. Pat grew up in Broome and spend a lot of her growing up years surrounded by older people and learning from them. As a result, Pat has become a wealth of information and loves being an educator and sharing knowledge with people, including being an author. Pat is especially passionate about language, culture and sharing her knowledge about the value of bush tucker – an industry that she has been learning about for about 30 years. Pat is the CEO of Mayi Harvests, including harvesting the superfood Gabiny (Kakadu Plum). As a Kimberley business woman, Pat can be engaged for catering, workshops and more throughout the region and beyond.

Pat Mamanyjun Torres is a Yawuru and Djugun women living in Broome. Pat grew up in Broome and spend a lot of her growing up years surrounded by older people and learning from them. As a result, Pat has become a wealth of information and loves being an educator and sharing knowledge with people, including being an author. Pat is especially passionate about language, culture and sharing her knowledge about the value of bush tucker – an industry that she has been learning about for about 30 years. Pat is the CEO of Mayi Harvests, including harvesting the superfood Gabiny (Kakadu Plum). As a Kimberley business woman, Pat can be engaged for catering, workshops and more throughout the region and beyond.

Janice Peterson is a Jaru woman from Ringer Soak, south of Halls Creek, and grew up on Gordon Downs stations. Janice was fortunate to not be taken away as a small child, as she was a ‘half caste’, and the policy of that era was that those children of mixed heritage would be removed from family and country. When Janices mother died when Janice was 6 years of age, she was raised by her extended family, a normal practice within Aboriginal society. She never sought to connect to her ‘white’ father, or have any relationship with him. Today, Janice keeps herself busy, spending time between Broome and Ringer Soak, working with her family to create bush product remedies and talking up for Country.

Janice Peterson is a Jaru woman from Ringer Soak, south of Halls Creek, and grew up on Gordon Downs stations. Janice was fortunate to not be taken away as a small child, as she was a ‘half caste’, and the policy of that era was that those children of mixed heritage would be removed from family and country. When Janices mother died when Janice was 6 years of age, she was raised by her extended family, a normal practice within Aboriginal society. She never sought to connect to her ‘white’ father, or have any relationship with him. Today, Janice keeps herself busy, spending time between Broome and Ringer Soak, working with her family to create bush product remedies and talking up for Country.

Dr Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa Traditional Custodian from the Marrtuwarra, lower Fitzroy River, West Kimberley WA Dr Anne has worked on issues of environmental and cultural protection in the Kimberley of Western Australia, and is Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. An active Indigenous community leader, human and earth rights advocate, filmmaker, and a respected academic researcher, with a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Master of Education, Master of Arts (Indigenous Social Policy) recently submitted a Doctor of Philosophy (Health Science) thesis titled "Martuwarra First Law: Multispecies Justice - Declaration of Interdependence: Wellbeing of Land, Living Waters, and Indigenous Australian People". Dr Anne is a lover of learning and encourages everyone to be committed to constantly learning, gaining, and sharing knowledge. Growing up in Broome, and its surroundings, has led to a love and a respect for land, law and culture, and she has studied the historical and contemporary colonial context of development in the West Kimberley and how that impacts on contemporary Indigenous participation in decision making, governance, land and water reform. Tune into our next Kimberley Shero podcast to listen to Dr Anne share her own story and insights.

Dr Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa Traditional Custodian from the Marrtuwarra, lower Fitzroy River, West Kimberley WA Dr Anne has worked on issues of environmental and cultural protection in the Kimberley of Western Australia, and is Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. An active Indigenous community leader, human and earth rights advocate, filmmaker, and a respected academic researcher, with a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Master of Education, Master of Arts (Indigenous Social Policy) recently submitted a Doctor of Philosophy (Health Science) thesis titled "Martuwarra First Law: Multispecies Justice - Declaration of Interdependence: Wellbeing of Land, Living Waters, and Indigenous Australian People". Dr Anne is a lover of learning and encourages everyone to be committed to constantly learning, gaining, and sharing knowledge. Growing up in Broome, and its surroundings, has led to a love and a respect for land, law and culture, and she has studied the historical and contemporary colonial context of development in the West Kimberley and how that impacts on contemporary Indigenous participation in decision making, governance, land and water reform.

Dr Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa Traditional Custodian from the Marrtuwarra, lower Fitzroy River, West Kimberley WA Dr Anne has worked on issues of environmental and cultural protection in the Kimberley of Western Australia, and is Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. An active Indigenous community leader, human and earth rights advocate, filmmaker, and a respected academic researcher, with a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Master of Education, Master of Arts (Indigenous Social Policy) recently submitted a Doctor of Philosophy (Health Science) thesis titled "Martuwarra First Law: Multispecies Justice - Declaration of Interdependence: Wellbeing of Land, Living Waters, and Indigenous Australian People". Dr Anne is a lover of learning and encourages everyone to be committed to constantly learning, gaining, and sharing knowledge. Growing up in Broome, and its surroundings, has led to a love and a respect for land, law and culture, and she has studied the historical and contemporary colonial context of development in the West Kimberley and how that impacts on contemporary Indigenous participation in decision making, governance, land and water reform. Tune into our next Kimberley Shero podcast to listen to Dr Anne share her own story and insights.