Corina Wayali Norman

"Leadership is ensuring our voices are heard and respected. Truth telling. Sharing all things pertaining to our culture, connections and responsibilities to Nura (Country) and each other."

I’m a Dharug/Dharawal woman with deep connections from the Blue Mountains, through to the Cumberland plains and to the sea. My connection to Baramada goes back to my Grandmother Kitty who was placed into the Parramatta Native Institution in 1814. I’ve been part of a group of Dharug women who have been leading the way in building and strengthening relationships within the wider community.
 

I work as a cultural artist through various mediums. I’m a singer/songwriter, dancer, primary and language teacher/consultant. I facilitate sharing of cultural knowledge and practices, including weaving in Traditional culture and understanding protocol within a contemporary framework.  

My interest is in respectful memorialisation and dedication to Dharug and broader First Peoples culture. I seek opportunities for our voices to be heard and respected. Truth telling and sharing all things pertaining to our culture, connections and responsibilities to Nura (Country) and each other.

I live for my family and community, having been given certain responsibilities.  I draw on time in memorial, forever developing and growing, honouring the past, present and those who are yet to come into the future. Embedded in core cultural values and beliefs, I find comfort in being open-minded and fair, a contributor to lifelong learning.

Knowing my strengths in what I can and cannot do, having the courage to ask for help, learning to listen attentively and being brave to speak out when I may not have the answers. This all brings self-worth and the opportunity to share in the responsibilities of leading, forging together.

Being on Matriarchal country embedded in Matriarchal cultural values, there are challenges as I tread softly in the footsteps of those that have gone before me and as I follow in the footsteps of my Elders. I follow and share the creation stories embedded in Dharug Lore/ Law and share the cultural values of my people, educating the wider community. To walk/go with good spirit, “Yanama budyari Gumadawi,” with humility, patience and respect is what my family and community follow, despite the challenges we face as First Nations people living on our Country.