First Nations Women's Healing

Whether you voted YES or a progressive NO for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, healing from the ongoing impacts of colonisation, inequity and the violence of racism continues for First Nations women across Australia.

At this time of reflection, many of us want to make our allyship felt in a respectful, meaningful and tangible way.

In my capacity as an experienced, passionate women’s healthcare professional, I've been invited to return to Mparntwe/Alice Springs, NT, to provide wellbeing services for the staff and broader community of The Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group, Tangentyere Aged Care,

The Kungas of The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and The Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programme Unit during The 16 International Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence commencing on November 25.

In support of the self-determined solutions of First Nations women and the Aboriginal community women's health organisations that I work for, I seek your support to offer my services to First Nations women in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, on Country across Victoria and at The Women's Weaving Retreat at Millowl Phillip Island next month.

I have had the privilege of working with many First Nations women and their families throughout my career on Wurundjeri, Taungurung and Boonwurrung Country in Victoria and more recently on Yolngu, Anangu, Arrente and Warlpiri Country in the Northern Territory.

I feel honoured to have been welcomed by the women, families, communities and organisations with whom I have worked, and to whom I have an ongoing commitment.

My name is Steffi Arvanitakis and I live on Wurundjeri Country in Victoria.

I am of Greek/Mediterranean/Anglo heritage and have an extensive career in providing trauma-informed women's health care covering pregnancy, birth and postpartum, health education, and bereavement support. My work is increasingly focused on providing culturally informed, sensitive, healing bodywork and self care education.

Your support will increase my capacity to offer services to First Nations women in Victoria and in Mparntwe Alice Springs NT.

Many thanks in advance for the rapid sharing of this campaign, far and wide.

Anticipated expenses (approx):

Flights / bus / car travel to remote communities

$1000 return airfares to the NT

Accommodation

$100 per night

Vehicle hire

$120 per day

Venue hire and refreshments

$250 per day

Contribution toward my labour

I will be providing up to 8 hours of individual and group sessions per day plus set-up, pack-down and provision of all equipment and healing products (including handmade traditional bush medicines). I will be foregoing regular work to respond to requests in both Victoria and the NT.

*where accomodation and vehicle are provided, funds will be allocated toward extending my services

https://instagram.com/sacred_ways_of_being

https://www.sacredbirth.com.au/

(soon to be updated)

I have permission to use all images featured on this page and I respectfully request that people promoting this campaign, forward the full page, not isolated images from this page or from my social media sites.

I acknowledge The Traditional People of the lands and waters that I live and work on and pay my respect to their elders, past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge that Aboriginal sovereignty has not been ceded and this Country always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.