The Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice is Australia’s first institute dedicated to advancing the rights, knowledges, and leadership of First Nations women, girls, and gender-diverse people as catalysts for systemic change.

The Institute carries on the legacy of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Project, led by previous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO, at the Australian Human Rights Commission. Our mission is to reweave the social fabric through elevating the voices and lived experience of First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse people, and building collaborations with all system actors to actively pursue the realisation of First Nations gender justice and equality.

Independently housed and proudly supported by the Australian National University

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A note on language

An inclusive and respectful movement of all gender identities is critical to achieving gender justice and equality. Through peoples’ additional and diverse abilities, unique needs, intelligences and experiences, everyone perceives, exists, expresses and navigates existence differently. These layered identity markers offer rich perspectives that can hold the greatest solutions for dismantling prejudicial systems and constructing more freeing, powerful and enabling ways of living for all.

The Institute recognises the diversity of First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse people, from youngsters to Elders, women and girls with trans experience, queer people, those living in remote areas, those who are incarcerated and those with many other beautiful perspectives, abilities and additional unique needs.

We recognise that First Nations trans women and gender-diverse people face significant and distinct impacts from multiple intersecting discriminations, particularly systemic racialised sexism, which have received insufficient attention. The Institute commits to learning from, deepening our engagement with, and elevating the voices of trans women and gender-diverse mob throughout our Strategic Priorities. Across the Institute, references to First Nations women and gender-diverse people are inclusive of all of these identities.