Yorga Maaman Koolanga Research and Advocacy Centre
About the centre
We focus on supporting parents and children from pregnancy through the early years, building strong foundations for healthy, resilient families and communities. Our work brings together researchers, clinicians, Elders, community members, and policymakers to create evidence that strengthens and supports Aboriginal families every step of the way.
Supporting Aboriginal women, men and families
We believe that healthy mothers supported by Elders’ wisdom combined with culturally safe services optimises infant and child outcomes. This includes developing resources which promote Aboriginal voices and detail lived experience.
Protecting cultural heritage: Ngangk Waangening: Mothers’ Stories was published in 2021 creating an important cultural legacy for current and future Aboriginal families. Twelve Elder and Senior women’s birth stories are featured together with carefully crafted learning opportunities which direct health professional’s knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal cultural birthing practices with the aim of promoting culturally safe birth experiences for all Aboriginal women.
Linking mental health and child development outcomes: Our deep examination of the causal associations between mental health and child development outcomes is shaping when and how to address Aboriginal parent’s mental health problems prior to birth and developmental outcomes during the early years.
Creating a more equitable and culturally safe maternity care system: We have developed models of care and clinical ‘tools’ which Aboriginal women feel confident and safe using, reducing fragmentation and facilitating better communication between Aboriginal women, their families and communities and health service providers.
Ngangk Yira works closely with the WA government, contributing high level expertise to projects and initiatives which seek to ensure Aboriginal women have access to culturally safe maternity care.
This painting is called Kabarli Katitjin ("Grandmother's Wisdom") and represents the ancient knowledge and continuity of Aboriginal women and our birthing in connection to Country, family and culture. We thank Valerie Ah Chee for creating this piece for us to use on our website and publications.
Mums & Bubs Deadly Diets: Funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) . The University of Queensland and Murdoch University. For more information, contact Janinne Gliddon.
New insights for reducing Aboriginal stillbirth: Funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Murdoch University and Curtin University. For more information, contact Professor Rhonda Marriott.
FEALING Program: Funded by Ian Potter Foundation. For more information, contact Professor Rhonda Marriott.
Katitjin Mindamarra: Aboriginal Perinatal Navigator/ Birth Navigator Research Project. For more information, contact Janinne Gliddon.
Pro Vice Chancellor, Director Yorga Maaman Koolanga Research Centre
The Ngangk Yira Institute for Change is led by Professor Rhonda Marriott AM, a renowned leader in the field of Aboriginal health and equity research with extensive experience in both clinical and academic roles. Born in Derby, Western Australia, Professor Marriott AM is a descendent of Kimberley Nyikina Aboriginal people and has devoted her adult life to nursing and midwifery.
For 30 years Tracy Reibel has conducted translational research which contributes to health systems reform. An expert qualitative researcher she has highly developed skills in research design, mixed methods, systematic and critical reviews, evaluation. and works at the nexus of quantitative analysis and qualitative interrogation. This approach is underpinned by strong relationships with colleagues and decision makers in the academic, health and social services sectors.
Rohan Collard is a Wadjuk Ballardong man with cultural authority and strong community connections to the Nyungar nation. Rohan has held Senior Executive roles over the last 20 years with extensive experience in the Public Sector, Community Sector, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation sectors in the human services field. Rohan has extensive strategic leadership experience and high-level consultancy skills with a focus and impact on service delivery for Aboriginal people.
Trish is a Palawa woman from Lutruwita (Tasmania) with connections to descendent Mannalargenna chief of the Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway Clan. Trish is a Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Senior Research Fellow in the Yorga, Maaman and Koolanga Centre within Ngangk Yira Institute for Change and a registered clinical midwife of 13 years in the tertiary setting. She has been a strong advocate and educator for upcoming health professionals on Aboriginal health and cultural security. Trish is also an early childhood educator and is committed to supporting positive impact and change with community.
Paola Vasquez MPH., MBA., RN., MW, is a registered nurse and midwife from Chile with over 20 years of experience working in community healthcare and government settings. She has been involved in developing and implementing healthcare policies aimed at improving access and quality of care for vulnerable populations. Currently, she is working for the Replanting the Birthing Trees Research Project at the Ngangk Yira. Her passion and commitment is to reduce healthcare gaps in equity and quality, with the ultimate goal of contributing to society, especially for those who are more vulnerable.
Nicola is a registered nurse dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and advocating for client well-being. With a Masters in Nursing by Research, she integrates clinical expertise with a commitment to research and community health. Her research interests include chronic disease management, and cultural competence in nursing, where she is passionate about developing effective strategies to address the needs of diverse populations.
Dezerae Miller is a Whadjuk and Ballardong Aboriginal yorga with strong cultural connections across Western Australia. She brings experience in mental health, cultural wellbeing and community engagement working across public, community and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors. Dezerae's role is to support community‑led research, strengthen stakeholder relationships and lead engagement across programs including ICARE, RBT and BCYR. Her work is grounded in cultural safety, decolonising approaches and a commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities.
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