In colonial Australia, shaped by violence and policies of erasure, Motherhood in the Colony breaks barriers by facilitating an intimate cross-cultural exchange between First Nations and Palestinian mothers, unravelling stories of colonial trauma and emancipatory care and resistance. Watch the Motherhood in the Colony trailer.

In late 2023, we embarked on an innovative and timely storytelling project called Motherhood in the Colony.  

With Common Ground’s support, celebrated Worimi filmmaker Genevieve Grieves of GARUWA and renowned artist and cultural activist, Aseel Tayah of Bukjeh, explore the connections and shared struggles of Indigenous peoples through the lens of motherhood, which emerges as a transmission of wisdoms across generations, a promise of a culture’s survival and of its flourishing. 

Motherhood in the Colony brings together First Nations and Palestinian mothers — Sara Al Azhari (Qabatiya, Palestine and Romania), Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara), Aseel Tayah (Jerusalem born, Qalansawa and Taybe, Palestine), Lilly Brown (Gumbaynggirr), Mais Hijazi (Hebron, Palestine), Justice Nelson (Djaara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta), Wejdan Shamala (Gaza and Qalqiya, Palestine) and Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri , Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung) — together in a powerful and intimate exchange of stories illuminating the deep connections possible through shared experiences of Indigeneity.

Image by Rah Dakota

Motherhood in the Colony will culminate in a documentary film to be launched following the success of our crowdfunding campaign. Yet, we are creating more than that; our impact strategy centres dialogue, watch groups, eating together, grieving together, and imagining a future beyond this violent present. Together, at community screenings of the film across the country.

We ventured into this with very little support and funding. As a First Nations owned and led business with a decolonising mission and a focus on intercultural work, we felt a strong calling to respond to the devastating, genocidal violence currently being experienced by Palestinian people and this creative project is that response. As a love project, GARUWA and Bukjeh need your support to complete this deeply important project.

We are now seeking allies to stand with us and support the voices of First Nations and Palestinian mothers to be heard.

Image by Rah Dakota

WHY

Our project emerged not as a political statement but an ethical obligation, spurred by shared grief in the context of Australia’s rejection of a First Nations voice to parliament and the simultaneous escalation of state and settler violence against besieged Gazans and civilian Palestinians. 

Amongst the insufferable devastation, we find hope in our shared histories of resistance. A solidarity project, the film honours the survival of colonised peoples through affirming culture and storytelling across generations; this is our love letter to the role mothers play in the resilience and survival of all Indigenous cultures, transmitting vital knowledge to future ancestors and custodians of Country and culture.

Our project situates sovereignty in global solidarity with other First Nations and marginalised people, and we do this through exploring Indigenous motherhood - will you support our project? 

This funding will be used to help complete post-production of the film. 

Any additional pledged funding beyond our fundraising goal is welcome and will be attributed to the development and implementation of our impact strategy, centring community care.

REWARDS

Please note that whilst we will endeavour to host community screenings of the film across so-called Australia, we cannot guarantee that they will be hosted in your exact location, meaning you may be required to travel to attend the community screening of your choice.

Images by Jody Haines (Palawa)