Dhunning - Indigenous Impact
Family matters: Culturally safe birth is a personal mission of Djanaya’s
Djanaya Brookman has always known that she wanted to help women bring their babies into the world, and through a new scholarship and study at the University of Canberra, she’s realising that dream.
“I’ve always found it so beautiful — the whole process of birth and everything that comes with children in the early years,” Djanaya says.
Djanaya is the oldest of eight children, with her youngest sibling just two years old. Family has been a guiding value in her life. They’re also her greatest supporters and biggest admirers.
“I tell everyone that my second job is being a full-time sister,” Djanaya says “It's beautiful watching them all grow up.”
Djanaya is a recipient of a new scholarship designed to support First Nations students as they pursue a health-related degree through the University of Canberra.
The scholarship is delivered in partnership with the UC Faculty of Health and Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s (IAHA) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy, a community-led learning model delivering education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in high school, embedding the centrality of culture and a holistic approach to health.
Djanaya joined the IAHA Academy in Year 11. Along with the typical suite of senior year subjects – Mathematics, English and the like – the Academy supported Djanaya to pursue an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) in healthcare.
This meant that by the time she finished Year 12, not only did Djanaya graduate with a high school certificate, but she had also achieved a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance.
Through the ASbA, Djanaya had the chance to gain valuable, hands-on experience in the healthcare industry, develop a personal philosophy for patient-centred care and a sense of what her future – and a career in healthcare – could look like.
It confirmed what she knew in her heart– that she belonged in the healthcare sector, and it was maternity care that she was most interested in.
In 2023 she took the plunge and started a Bachelor of Midwifery at UC.
“I did a lot of research, I attended information days, and I’d heard from others about what UC was like. I knew that was exactly where I wanted to go,” Djanaya says.
In the beginning, Djanaya had to adjust to the pace of university study – it was a busy time, with many assignments and deadlines, but now with the first semester under her belt, she’s confident she can succeed.
“I was nervous about starting university. It was a huge step, and the first semester was very full on.”
Djanaya soon embraced the social aspect of being a uni student and making new friends from all walks of life. The Ngunnawal Centre, a safe and welcoming hub for First Nations students at UC, has been a huge part of her on campus experience.
“From my first semester I was pretty much there every day. It's like my second home,” Djanaya says.
“Being surrounded by other Indigenous people is important, as there's a connection between us all.
“There’s been times where I’ve had to take leave, like for Sorry Business — it’s a very important thing for First Nations people. The Ngunnawal Centre would advocate on my behalf so I could take that time.”
Her success is all the sweeter knowing the challenges she’s faced in her education journey. She began to flourish after moving to Erindale College in Year 11, but prior to that, hadn’t even seen herself finishing school.
“I had a really hard time, I considered leaving school to work instead. The learning styles weren’t right for me. I just didn't really understand, and I was always too scared to ask for help,” Djanaya says.
“I started thinking that, because I wasn't as fast as others in getting work done, that I wasn't good enough and that I wasn't smart enough. But when I went to Erindale College, I got all the support I needed. My time there was awesome.”
Greater First Nations representation in the healthcare sector, and a better understanding of culturally safe practices are key factors in ensuring better outcomes for First Nations patients. Djanaya wants to be the change in the healthcare workforce.
“I know that my mum has had negative experiences in the health sector with non-Indigenous people that have made her feel culturally unsafe,” Djanaya says.
“I just want to be a part of the change, cultural safety is important for all people, from any culture. I just want to be a part of it.”
With one semester down and the excitement of clinical placements to come, Djanaya is looking forward to getting into it.
What she’s looking forward to most is being there for mums and bringing her own cultural knowledge to make the process of childbirth as safe and comfortable as possible for women.
“Placement is going to be pretty cool. Being on-call as a student midwife will be pretty full on, but it'll keep my life interesting,” Djanaya says.
“The birthing process is absolutely amazing. I just want to be there for those life changing moments of bringing a new little bub into the world.”
Words by Kelly White, photos by Tyler Cherry.