Marijke is a Lama Lama/Lamalama, Binthi Warra (Guugu Yimithirr Nation), Bulgun Warra gender and sexuality diverse Cape York woman. Marijke was born in Gimuy (Cairns) and raised on the east coast lands of her people in the Cape York Peninsula in remote Far North Queensland, Australia. Marijke has deep-rooted (kin)nnections to the Cape York communities of Gungarde (Cooktown), Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal, Coen, Yintjingga (Port Stewart) and Lockhart River through her Lama Lama/Lamalama, Binthi Warra and Bulgun Warra bloodline, cultural, familial and kinship ties. Marijke’s first language is Guugu Yimithirr, the language of her Binthi Warra people, and her second language is East Cape York Kriol. On her Lama Lama/Lamalama side, Marijke comes from wind and rain story which are the stories that bind the hearts, spirits and bodies of Lama Lama/Lamalama people to their lands, skies, seas and each other.
Qualifications & Experience
Marijke is a commercially trained multilingual international Human Rights Lawyer, Scholar, Photographer and Creative with over a decade of experience in the legal sector. Marijke holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Politics and Government including a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and was admitted to the Australian legal profession in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2014. Marijke also holds a Master of Laws specialising in International Law and was one of three in her entire student cohort to be awarded Excellence by the Vice Chancellor of the University of New South Wales Sydney (UNSW) in recognition of her outstanding academic record. She was the second in her family to complete High school, first in her family to attend University, and is the first international Human Rights Lawyer from the Cape York Peninsula. Marijke is currently completing the final leg of her cross-border PhD in International law under the joint supervision of UNSW Sydney Law & Justice and the University of California Berkeley Center for Race & Gender where she was also the Visiting Scholar and Human Rights Lawyer in-residence (2022-23). Marijke is an experienced Clinical Legal Supervisor and Lecturer of Law, delivering lectures for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Juris Doctor courses in Community law, Anti-Discrimination law and International law with a focus on First Nations peoples, women, cultural heritage and LGBTQIA+ matters. Marijke also trained as a Corporate Solicitor/Litigator and has practitioner experience in Commercial litigation, Insurance, Personal and Property liability, Dispute resolution and Mediation, Corporations law, Native title, Wills and Enduring Power of Attorney, Environment law, Criminal law, Credit and Debt, Anti-Discrimination law, Housing and Tenancy law.
Expertise & Passion
Marijke specialises in International Law with a focus on Discrimination and Human rights relating to Indigeneity, race, gender, sexuality and cultural heritage. Marijke is passionate about elevating and protecting the rights, interests and voices of gender and sexuality diverse First Nations peoples from around the world, and is committed to leading the way toward a vibrant future for LGBTQIA+ members of Indigenous Peoples that is free from discrimination and violence.