I am thrilled to announce the launch of Yarn Legal, an Aboriginal-owned boutique law firm dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services with a deep commitment to cultural safety and understanding.
I am honored to share my family’s journey and the inspiration behind Yarn Legal.
My Family’s Story
My name is Hanina Rind and I’m a proud Yamatji, Badimaya, and Balouchi Muslim woman, and a descendant of Balouchi South Asian cameleers who came to Australia in the late 1800s. My family history begins in what was then British India, now Pakistan, where my great-grandfather Gulam Badoola was brought to Australia with other men on a ship with their camels around 1890. The men built rails and key infrastructure in both South Australia and Western Australia. After some time working, my great-grandfather went to Badimaya country and met my great-grandmother, Maryam Martin.
They married and had four children on Country. At that time, child removal policies were in place, and the children were removed multiple times under the authority of the Chief Protector of Aborigines, AO Neville. Remarkably, each time, Badoola fought against the odds and managed to reclaim his children. However, after Maryam’s passing, he made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Australia and raise the children in what became Pakistan. Many years later, my parents came back to Australia to reconnect with family and mob.
My Upbringing and Inspiration
My sisters and I grew up in the Pilbara in a small town called Wickham, a place full of racism and segregation. What kept us strong were my parents. They were both staunch and made sure we knew who we were both culturally and religiously. My mother was a powerhouse; she taught us how to read Arabic and the history and jurisprudence of Islam. She ensured we were proud of who we were. Mum was my inspiration, always telling us to stand up against oppression and never back down from a fight, especially when there are people who need you to be their voice.
Moving to Melbourne presented challenges, but we persevered! After working in IT roles for many years, in 2013, I faced a challenging hardship that inspired me to enroll in Law school. My workplace did not want to support my transition back to work after maternity leave and insisted that I return to work full-time. I challenged this and ultimately won a successful unfair dismissal case. This propelled me into a completely different career trajectory, for which I’ve been so grateful.
The Vision for Yarn Legal
Working with survivors of abuse, I have found people who have experienced so much hardship and despair show resilience and hope that is the most inspiring and amazing thing to witness. It is an honor to bear witness to survivors’ stories, and we have ensured our practice is grounded in both culturally safe and trauma-informed legal services for survivors. Their strength and determination to overcome adversity are truly humbling.
Many of my family members who remained overseas have faced numerous migration challenges, despite being First Nations people themselves. As the First People of this country, Yarn Legal is honored to provide migration law services to those wishing to make Australia their home. Having experienced the complexities of migration firsthand through my family, I understand the importance of compassionate and knowledgeable legal support in navigating this process.
Having experienced first-hand instances of racism and discrimination in the workplace, bullying and harassment, I know how difficult these challenges pose for most people. These experiences have fueled my passion for advocating for fair treatment and equal opportunities in the workplace, ensuring that everyone’s rights are protected and upheld.
Last year, we lost our matriarch, my mum, and facing one of the most difficult years of our lives, she continues to guide me. One of her sayings resonates deeply with me: “a seed is a promise.” This profound statement has been a source of inspiration and motivation, reminding me that even the smallest of beginnings can blossom into something extraordinary with nurture and perseverance.
Yarn Legal started as a tiny little seed of an idea and is now turning into a reality. Each legal service we provide has a personal story to connect us, rooted in our experiences, values, and the desire to make a positive impact. Just as a seed holds the potential for growth and transformation, our firm is dedicated to helping individuals and communities flourish by providing compassionate and culturally sensitive legal support.
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to open our doors soon!