Friday Opening Night - an evening of Indigenous Wisdom and Deep Listening

Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann

Aboriginal activist, educator and artist, teacher of “dadirri” (deep listening)

Dr Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM is an Aboriginal elder from Nauiyu and a renowned artist, activist, writer and public speaker.

Through her professional and creative life, Miriam Rose has remained dedicated to maintaining the cultural independence of her people and being a spokesperson for the Aboriginal worldview. In recognition of her leadership, she has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia medal and an Honorary PhD in Education from Charles Darwin University.

Miriam Rose is the 2021 Senior Australian of the Year.

Judy Atkinson

Emeritus Professor, founder and advisor of “We Al-li”, trauma expert, Jiman & Bundjalung Woman

Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson is a Jiman (central west Queensland) and Bundjalung (northern New South Wales) woman, with Anglo-Celtic and German heritage. Her academic contributions to the understanding of trauma related issues stemming from the violence of colonisation and the healing/recovery of Indigenous peoples from such trauma has won her the Carrick Neville Bonner Award in 2006 for her curriculum development and innovative teaching practice.

Her book ‘Trauma Trails – Recreating Songlines: The transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia’, provides context to the life stories of people who have been moved from their country in a process that has created trauma trails, and the changes that can occur in the lives of people as they make connection with each other and share their stories of healing.