Uncle Jimmy, is a Traditional Owner and Ranger who fought for Land Rights in the 70s. He loves teaching young ones about Country and sharing stories in Kriol and English. After seeing how political decisions affect Country and community rights, he reckons it’s deadly important for mob to understand how to have their say.
His daughter Marlee was born in Halls Creek, grew up between town and community, and now lives in Kununurra. She works as an Aboriginal Health Worker at the clinic, makes deadly damper, and is always organising something for community. Working in health, she sees how government decisions affect services for mob, so she wants to make sure community voices are heard when these big decisions are made.
DJ is 18, just finished school in Kununurra and works at the rec centre. He’s mad about music and digital stuff, and wants to start a youth program. With his first chance to vote coming up, he’s keen to learn how young people can make change happen for their community.
DJ’s little sister Joanie is three, born in Derby Hospital. She’s at playgroup now, learning language from Uncle Jimmy, and you’ll find her playing in the dirt or chasing goannas when she’s not asking “What’s that?” about everything she sees. Even though she’s little, her family wants to make sure today’s decisions create a deadly future for her and all the young ones.
Their neighbour Sarah has run the local store for 15 years. She’s always learning language and cultural protocols, keeps her prices fair and helps at community events. She’s part of the Chamber of Commerce, too. Running the store, she sees how government policies affect small business and community life, so she wants to help mob understand how their voice matters in these decisions.
Through their stories and experiences, this guide will help us learn about democracy our way – through yarning, doing and sharing knowledge just like our mob always has.
Uncle Jimmy’s story - Looking back, moving forward
Jake & Sammy
Jake, is a young tour guide with a gift for making complex things simple. Taking mob from the Kimberley to Parliament House in Canberra has taught him how to connect decisions made in that big white building to everyday life back home. Using stories and humor, he helps people understand that democracy belongs to all of us, no matter how far we live from the capital.
Sammy brings her own deadly style to teaching mob about democracy. As a tour guide, she loves seeing young people get excited about having their say in their community’s future. But she’s not just showing mob around – she’s on her own journey of leadership and growth. Taking courses, mentoring other young women, and dreaming of maybe entering politics herself one day, Sammy shows how understanding democracy can lead to bigger things. Through her work, she’s proving that young Aboriginal women can be leaders in both traditional and modern ways.
Through their tours and stories, Jake and Sammy help mob see how decisions made in Parliament House flow all the way back to the Kimberley, affecting our communities, our services and our future. They’re part of a new generation making democracy accessible and relevant to mob through their own unique way of sharing knowledge.