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 photograph of Gumbaynggirr Dunghutti Bundjalung woman, mother, activist and poet, Elizabeth Jarrett and her son, at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra.
In the portrait below, Elizabeth and her son are wearing T-Shirts demanding justice for David Dungay, whose prison cell in Long Bay Jail was stormed in 2015 after he refused to stop eating a packet of biscuits. David suffered from diabetes. Prison officers restrained and sedated Mr Dungay. He died soon after.
A coronial inquiry will commence next Monday, the 16th of July, to investigate the circumstances around David Dungay's death. Family and supporters, including Elizabeth Jarrett, will be gathering at the inquiry to highlight ongoing Aboriginal deaths in custody and to ensure the courts understand that attention is being focussed on the proceedings.
* click on image for full screen view