Because of Her We Can: Nancy Yukuwal McDinny

Throughout the next few days, over NAIDOC week celebrations, I will be posting a series of photographs of just some of the Aboriginal and Islander women who I admire and respect, who I have photographed over the years, and who epitomize this year's NAIDOC motto, 'Because of Her We Can'.

Today, I am posting a portrait of elder, activist and artist, Nancy Yukuwal McDinny, a Garrwa woman from the Gulf of Carpentaria region.

For the past number of years, she has been leading the fight against mining giant, Glencore, and its expansion of the McArthur River mine, one of the biggest zinc, lead and silver mines in the world. The mine has been blamed for poisoning the river that several Aboriginal communities, including the nearby town of Borroloola, rely on. Further protests are planned around the country in the near future.

*click on image for full screen view