Justice Nelson (Jaara)
Who are you and where do you come from?
I am a Jaara woman from central Victoria, youngest daughter of Jaara Woringarpil (head man) Brien Nelson Snr with connection to Yorta Yorta & Wiradjuri countries. I have been living in Naarm (Melbourne) for the past 14 years.
Tell us what growing up was like for you?
Although the first 7-8 years was great, growing up for me from then on was extremely difficult. I have a very sad and painful story that few know of and I guess I’m still healing from, but it doesn’t take away the good things or my determination in moving forward, growing from and inspiring others.
Who are the women that inspire you?
There have been and will be many women who inspire me, but particularly my mother, grandmothers and 2 Aunties who have seen such hard times, but I have never witnessed complaints, self-pity or defeat to their circumstances. They are amazingly strong women who wore and continued to wear their battle scars beautifully, they are my matriarchs.
What does self-determination mean to you?
Self-determination is something I believe in and walk in my everyday life. I do my best to encourage not just women but everyone down the path of self-determination and hope to inspire and use circumstance as motivation to push forward for themselves and for others. I truly stand in the belief that this is the way forward for our people and in anything. We need to lift each other more and give ourselves permission.
What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?
NAIDOC is something that’s been very present in my mind, not just for that week but it’s a part of who I am, who we are and think. I recall being one of the only black kids at school and Dad would send me ‘Aboriginal’ posters that I would literally rally the school to put up to support NAIDOC week. I was 10 years old when I started that.
Can you please tell us about the work you do in Community?
I’m a business owner who works with mainly mainstream organisations, companies and projects but I still contribute as much as I can to communities not just here but Australia wide. Even my business plan/s were written to support community in many different ways, community is always ever present in everything I do. Currently in the events and entertainment industry I try to create opportunities to showcase, employ, participate and honour our people within the industry but also to educate those who I work with in the importance of protocol and what impact their business and industry have on our people and how to work safely and effectively with us.
What future would you hope for young Aboriginal women?
I hope for a future full of endless possibilities, a supported community of strong Black Women, where our women don’t search for worth in others because they know it in themselves. Where we are quick to praise one another and slow to criticise and where our women are so empowered that our daughters (and children) know no other way. Where all this is normalised. Where our ancestor’s struggles motivate positive movement of self-determination in each and every one. We are a powerhouse together.