Djäkamirr Service
What we do
Djäkamirr provide culturally grounded, non-clinical companionship to Yolŋu women across pregnancy, sit-down (waiting for baby), aeromedical evacuation when required, birth in regional hospitals (Gove and Darwin), and postnatal healing.
All djäkamirr are trained, insured, mentored, and operate under a Djäkamirr Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Referral
To refer a client to the Galiwin’ku Djäkamirr Service contact our Coordinator: 0428 092 196
Clinical Safety & Governance
Djäkamirr do not provide medical care, perform clinical assessments, or make clinical decisions. They work alongside midwives, doctors, interpreters, and health services to strengthen care, cultural safety, and continuity. Supervision and escalation pathways are in place to ensure safe and collaborative practice.
Djäkamirr at a Glance (Clinician Summary)
✔ Non-clinical, culturally trained childbirth companions.
✔ Speak Yolŋu Matha and support communication.
✔ Provide comfort, advocacy, education, and cultural support.
✔ Work across home, community, bush, and hospital settings.
✔ Travel with women for evacuation and hospital birth.
✔ Insured, supervised, and have accredited training.
✘ Do not provide medical or clinical care
✘ Do not perform assessments or make clinical decisions
✘ Do not replace midwives, doctors, or interpreters
FAQ
What is a djäkamirr?
A djäkamirr is a Yolŋu childbirth companion (First Nations doula). The word means ‘caretaker’—someone who walks with a woman physically, emotionally, spiritually, and culturally.
What support do djäkamirr provide?
Emotional and cultural support, education in Yolŋu Matha, comfort measures, ceremony, advocacy, and guidance. They may also support women experiencing miscarriage or termination. They provide no medical care.
Where do djäkamirr work?
Wherever women need support: at home, in community, on Country, at sit-down, in Galiwin’ku, in regional hospitals, and during aeromedical transfers.
What training do djäkamirr receive?
A nationally recognised Certificate II in Pregnancy, Birth & Postnatal Companionship, developed with the Womb to Tomb Foundation, including a Yolŋu curriculum co-delivered by Yolŋu experts.
Are djäkamirr paid?
Djäkamirr receive Co-op rebates recognising their activities that support women on their pregnancy journey.
How can clinicians work well with djäkamirr?
By treating them as valued team members, introducing themselves, sharing roles, and recognising djäkamirr as experts in the women they support.
Who supports djäkamirr?
Ongoing mentoring is provided by the Womb to Tomb Foundation, with access to a supervisor 24/7 for urgent matters.
Referral Form
We welcome referrals from clinicians, family or clients themselves.
Please provide enough information for us to reach the client ie. Lot number, Yolŋu names and mobile. Please include as much detail as possible. This is treated confidentially and will NOT be shared with other services.