Stories from the WISE Community: Marni
Hi, I’m Marni. I grew up on the North West Coast of Lutruwita/Tasmania, on Tommeginne Country. I spent almost 3 years living in Darwin, on Larrakia Country before moving back to Tasmania. I’m living on beautiful Tyrerrernotepanner Country right now.
Language can be a controversial topic among Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Palawa Kani is widely believed to be the only remaining Tasmanian Aboriginal language, which has been constructed using records of all the languages spoken in Tasmania. Since so much language was destroyed during colonisation, what is left has been put together to form Palawa Kani. Recently I have learned that some Tasmanian Aboriginal people don’t believe that Palawa Kani is entirely representative of the languages that were spoken pre-colonisation, and that different groups and organisations use language from different records. Every single day I am learning and I am grateful to our Elders for sharing their knowledge. I know a few words and phrases but it’s something I’d love to learn more of.
I’ve been with WISE for almost 5 years, and I’m currently working remotely as an Employment Partner for our Workforce Australia Victoria team. I love knowing people can rely on me to help them with their daily tasks. I find it really fulfilling helping and assisting others.
Before I worked for WISE I was a checkout chick at Woolworths while studying at University. I have an Honours degree in Psychological Science which has come in very handy during my time with WISE.
It wasn’t until I joined WISE’s RAP (Reconciliation action plan) group that I really started to engage in and understand my First Nations identity. Growing up I was always told by family that we are of Aboriginal descent, and looking back I can see that our family definitely has traditions that I now know stem from that. As part of the RAP group, I was asked to identify the Traditional Custodians of the lands where our Tasmanian offices are located and during the process I was able to uncover my family tree and community connections.
I discovered that I am descended from Mannalargenna, a Tasmanian Aboriginal warrior who fought against the colonisation of Tasmania. He is a highly regarded figure in the Aboriginal community, even having his own day here in Lutruwita. I’ve been able to track my family tree, find connection in community and expand my cultural knowledge. Learning more about Tasmanian Aboriginal culture has allowed me to put into words how I’ve felt my whole life – how being on my ancestral Country feels like home, the homesickness that felt more like an emptiness I felt living in Darwin and the joy of stepping foot back on Tassie shores after being away. Feeling that, it’s hard to imagine the pain and sadness our ancestors would have felt when they were forced to leave their land. That’s why “For our Elders” is more than just a theme, it’s about doing what our ancestors did and continuing the fight for freedom and access to culture that they started. The fight that our Elders are continuing to pass down to us.
In Lutruwita/Tasmania so much First Nations culture was destroyed due to colonisation. To have our Elders who retain that knowledge and are able to pass it down through so many generations despite the hardships faced is so special. Everything that we do now, practising culture, caring for Country is for our Elders and our ancestors. Our Elder’s hold sacred knowledge and they teach and guide us. They are the reason we can continue traditions and practises. They’re often the voices speaking out for change, against racism and fighting for equality.
Mental health issues have played a big part in my life. I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder 21 years ago when I was 7. More recently I’ve struggled with an eating disorder. At times it has felt like these things defined me and there are times where it feels like these things take over my life. Having both professional medical and personal support is what makes these things manageable. It is well known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people experience mental and physical health issues at a higher rate than other Australians and generally suffer from a lack of access to resources to help combat these issues. We need to bring attention to this inequality and demand change. It’s important that we remember that illness of any sort doesn’t define you. This is part of why I love working for WISE – we are able to support our customers on their mental health journey.
Whether your safe space is your mob, your friends and family or your community, it’s a vital part of your wellbeing to be with likeminded individuals. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I know how important it is to have spaces that allow you to be yourself. Whether you are Indigenous or part of the queer community (or both!), knowing that someone has your back can make such a difference and WISE is able to offer that through our personalised and tailored servicing. Being part of so many different communities, most of them being minorities, allows me to truly understand how beneficial all these services are for our customers. Growing up, my schools ran programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children but never anything for the LGBTQIA+ community, so seeing programs like Rainbow WISE makes me so happy.
My background gives me empathy, compassion and understanding of our vulnerable customers. Having First Nations employees in our organisation can only strengthen the connection we have with our First Nations customers. Employing people with lived experience of mental health issues and people who are part of minority communities is invaluable. Diversity is the key to success.
I’ve always been a very strong willed person with a passion for speaking out for what I believe in (even if my anxiety is setting off alarm bells). My family and husband are my biggest supporters and inspirations – they fill my cup!
Times are changing and it’s important now more than ever that we use our voices to progress forward. There were times writing this piece that I questioned whether sharing all these parts of myself was a good idea. It’s scary putting yourself out there but if I don’t do it, what example am I setting for others like me? My lovely work colleague and friend Tyson told me that representation is important and he is right. You can’t be what you can’t see and maybe my story will help somebody else share theirs and find empowerment through doing so.
Also – don’t underestimate the healing power of being on Country. Putting your feet on the ground, feeling the presence of the Old People is so restorative.