Since its inception, SWAN has vigorously supported efforts to address the human rights concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes helping to raise community awareness and advocating for change.
SWAN acknowledges the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters where we meet. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. In line with our commitment to social justice, SWAN unequivocally supports First Nations People in their campaigns for sovereignty, self-determination, treaties and truth-telling.
Each year, we host a NAIDOC meeting addressed by a First Nations woman. Past speakers include: Jillian West, a proud Bunurong woman from Point Nepean and a Palawa woman from the Islands of Bass Strait; Stephanie Ross and Alice Ugle from the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria who spoke about Treaty; highly respected local Elder, health professional and academic, Aunty Helen Bnads, a proud Birri Gubba woman with direct family ties to the Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission; and Aboriginal artist, unionist and writer Celeste Liddle of the Arrente people of Central Australia.
A Supporting First Nations (SFN) group established in 2020 helped to share information about past and ongoing injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and to encourage member engagement with local Indigenous organisations. Further information about SFN activities (2020-2021) can be accessed here.
In 2022-23 SWAN members facilitated various activities to raise community awareness about the urgent need for constitutional reform to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. This included hosting two public forums to help constituents make an informed decision when they voted in the Referendum. Guest speakers were proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, lawyer, activist and storyteller, Teela Reid, and former Liberal Party politician and ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell.
Post referendum, SWAN members continue to walk beside local First Nations organisations and advocate at a local, state and national level to Close the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage. They actively participate in significant events observed by First Nations people eg. Our Survival Day, Sorry Day, NAIDOC and Reconciliation Weeks (see https://www.reconciliation.org.au). Information about these activities is regularly posted on SWAN’s Facebook and Instagram sites and reported in SWAN NEWS.
Links to several local organisations are provided below.
Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association: https://www.willumwarrain.org.au
Nairm Marr Djambana Aboriginal Gathering Place: https://www.djambana.org.au
Baluk Arts: https://balukarts.org.au
Living Culture: Guided walks and workshops: https://www.livingculture.org.au
Our Songlines: https://www.oursonglines.com/our-team
Nomuckerlener – First Nations Training: https://www.indigenoustraining.org
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation: https://www.bunuronglc.org Support local Aboriginal businesses
Southern Women's Action Network 