Djugun: We Speak For Our Country Launches in Broome 22 September 2026

Jaala Ozies author of Djugun we speak for our country Image Credit: Phoebe Solon

The Djugun Nation proudly celebrated the launch of Djugun: We Speak For Our Country on 22 September 2026, marking a significant milestone in the cultural heritage reclamation journey of the Djugun people.

Authored by Djugun Traditional Owner, language specialist and community advocate Jaala Ozies, the book is the culmination of three years of dedicated work supported through self-funding. The launch brought together members of the Jirrnginngan (Broome) community to celebrate a long-overdue telling of the Djugun story.

For generations, the voices and experiences of the Djugun people have been overlooked, misunderstood or excluded from mainstream historical narratives. Djugun: We Speak For Our Country addresses this absence by allowing the Djugun people to tell their own story, in their own words, from their own perspective.

"For too long, other people have spoken about us, written about us and defined who we are. This book is our opportunity to reclaim our history, protect our cultural knowledge and ensure that future generations understand who we are and where we come from."

The publication documents the rich history of the Djugun people, the first people of the Jirrnginngan area, tracing their journey from pre-contact, first contact and the establishment of the pearling industry in the nineteenth century through to the present day. It captures stories of survival, resilience, cultural continuity, language revitalisation and community activism. Importantly, it preserves cultural knowledge, language and wisdom that have been passed from one generation to the next.

A Story of Survival and Resistance

The book does not shy away from discussing the ongoing challenges facing the Djugun people. It explores the impacts of colonisation, dispossession and cultural erasure, while also documenting the strength and determination of generations of Djugun families who have fought to maintain their connection to Country.

According to Ozies, one of the most significant contemporary challenges has been the continuing struggle for recognition of the distinct identity and rights of the Djugun people.

The book argues that systems intended to recognise Aboriginal rights have, at times, contributed to further marginalisation by failing to recognise the unique identity of the Djugun people. It reflects on the impacts this has had on cultural transmission, identity, belonging and the relationship between people and Country.

Despite these challenges, Djugun: We Speak For Our Country makes a clear and powerful statement:

The Djugun people are still here.

The book demonstrates that the Djugun continue to practise culture, care for Country, revive language, share knowledge and fulfil their responsibilities to future generations.

Reclaiming History Through Truth-Telling

Yisah Ozies Bin Omar Image Credit: Jaala Ozies

At its heart, the publication is an act of truth-telling and self-determination.

By documenting Djugun stories, genealogy, language and cultural knowledge, the book seeks to reclaim the Djugun place within the historical record and strengthen the cultural foundations of future generations.

Ozies hopes readers will come away with a deeper understanding of Djugun history and a recognition that every Aboriginal nation has the right to tell its own story and have that story respected.

"Djugun: We Speak For Our Country is a statement of survival, identity and self-determination. It says clearly that the Djugun people are still here, still speaking for Country, and still fighting to ensure that our history, culture and rights are recognised and respected."

A Community Achievement

The launch was also an opportunity to acknowledge the many contributors who helped bring the project to life. Elders, families, language holders, storytellers and community members shared their knowledge, memories, photographs and lived experiences to ensure that the story of the Djugun people would be preserved for future generations.

Djugun Elder Mary Ozies and Jaala Ozies Image Credit: Yisah Ozies Bin Omar

Djugun Elder Mary Ozies stated: "It has been a privilege to contribute to the Djugun we speak for our country book giving voice to the Djugun ancestors who were denied basic human rights on many levels to be heard and consulted in the decision-making processes on Country as Djugun custodians."

The Djugun Nation extends its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the publication and to all those who attended the launch and supported this important milestone.

Djugun: We Speak For Our Country stands as both a historical record and a living testament to the enduring strength of the Djugun people, their connection to Country and their commitment to cultural continuity for generations to come.

This is the Djugun Story. Our words. Our way of storytelling.

The book is not available online at this stage.

Copies can be requested through the Djugun language Team at djukunlanguage@gmail.com

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