This month the Marni (Gooniyandi for "older sister") Project connected successful local Indigenous business women with younger Fitzroy Valley girls and women to inspire, empower and support them.
The project, run by Aboriginal resource centre Marra Worra Worra, introduced girls and women to three local artists; a swim wear designer, a jewellery designer and a photographer.
Over the course of a week the participants, mostly drawn from the Shooting Stars Program (an initiative which empowers Aboriginal girls and women) at Fitzroy Valley District High School, were involved in workshops designed to build their social and emotional wellbeing.
The artists led workshops on positive body image, starting their own business, and First Nations entrepreneurship, and shared their unique journeys. The participants were also guided through the design process from concept to product in jewellery-making and natural body products workshops.
The week-long program culminated in photoshoots for both Jalayimiya Swim and Litiyalla Earrings featuring the participants along the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River and also in Broome.
Nicola Angell, general manager of programs for Marra Worra Worra, told National Indigenous Times it was "a beautiful project about inspiring and empowering women in the Fitzroy Valley".
"It's a sister project - this one was all about linking successful local Indigenous business women with younger Fitzroy valley girls and women, to empower and support them to follow in their footsteps," she said.
"This was for one week, and there is a second part of this project which is a national NAIDOC launch of a swimwear and earring line.
"We brought three artists up, a swimwear designer, jewellery designer and photographer who specialises in positive body image. The artists were selected because of their commitment to sharing knowledge, their cultural heritage, and the connection to Country that underpins the work that they do."
Ms Angell said around 40 women and girls were involved over the course of the week.
"We worked with secondary school girls from Fitzroy Valley District High School and other local women. We had a couple of workshops which were around making natural body products, creating earrings, and then we did a photo shoot on the Fitzroy River," she said.
"Some of the participants then went across to Broome and they walked the catwalk for KAFTA (the Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art event), some of the young people modelled in that. There will be a national launch of the swimwear and jewellery lines of the artists as well.
"It was quite a big deal and I think it touched everyone who has been involved in it."
Ms Angell acknowledged the project's joint funding from the WA and federal governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.
Organisers noted that the Marni Project also "links beautifully" with this year's NAIDOC Theme 'Keep the fire burning – Blak, Loud and Proud!'.
