For over 60-000 years Yolŋu childbirth happened on-country with skilled djäkamirr- midwifery caretakers -using ancestral wisdom and bush technologies to support women and babies. Yolŋu flourished. Since the recent arrival of Western missionaries in the 1920s and the removal of childbirth to hospital, Yolŋu have been suffering. Women are now disconnected from their support systems and the region has profound health inequities including the highest rate of preterm birth in Australia.

DJÄKAMIRR is a two year project, filmed on the ancestral home-grounds of the Yolŋu First Nations people in North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. It is a collaborative project with community based on the strength of relationship and the importance of connection. Yolŋu have a strong cultural identity and speak Yolŋu Matha as their first language/s. The region is remote and despite the wealth of Australia, has inequitable health outcomes and poor access to many basic services. The documentary explores childbirth from the perspectives of Yolŋu women in Galiwin’ku, a small town on Elcho Island.

The Crew:
Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama - Co-Director & Co-Writer
Sarah Ireland - Co-Writer, Interviewer, Project Manager
Patrick Josse - Co-Director, Videography & Post-Production
Shellie Morris – Narration
Rachel Baker - Translation

Official Website, Contact & Movie: https://www.birthingoncountry.com/dja...
Call to Action: https://www.birthingoncountry.com/dja...

Produced by ONE20 Productions.
Co-Produced by Molly Wardaguga Research Centre & Northern Institute
In partnership with Yalu Aboriginal Corporation the Australian Doula College & Charles Darwin University.