About Julie Kija Williams

I’m Julie Kija Williams, a proud Kuku Yalanji woman living on my traditional homelands in Far North Queensland.

My family connections reach across both the Sunrise and Sunset Kuku Yalanji Countries through my apical ancestor, Kija. That connection reminds me where I come from and carries with it a deep sense of belonging and responsibility to care for Country.

Country has always been my greatest teacher. It’s where I find peace, where I continue to learn, and where I feel most like myself. Over the years, I’ve discovered that some of life’s greatest lessons come when we slow down, become quiet, and simply listen.

My own journey has shaped everything I do today. Like many people, I’ve experienced times when life felt busy, overwhelming, and disconnected. I found myself returning to Country again and again, spending long periods alone in nature. In that quiet, I began to heal. I learnt to slow down, to trust my intuition, and to notice the gentle wisdom that has always been there in the trees, the plants, the birds, the water, and the changing seasons. Country reminded me who I was in spirit.

I have had a close relationship with plants all my life. From a very young age, I was guided by my grandmother, who shared with me our ancestral knowledge of plants. She taught me to slow down and observe my surroundings, to notice each plant and the way it grows, and to always ask permission before picking. Those early lessons taught me that plants are more than resources—they are living beings that deserve our respect and gratitude.

That early learning became a lifelong journey. I continued to deepen my knowledge of Australian native plants through the wisdom generously shared by my Elders, while also studying herbs from other botanical traditions. Bringing these together reflects my own path of learning and allows me to create remedies that honour both the wisdom of Country and the rich knowledge that plants have offered people across many cultures.

Kija Creations grew naturally from that journey. Today I create bush remedies, weave with natural fibres, paint, and offer reconnection experiences and workshops that invite others to slow down, spend time on Country, and discover what nature might have to teach them. Everything I make and share is created with care, respect, and gratitude—for Country, for culture, and for the gifts of the natural world.

Choosing the name Kija Creations was my way of honouring my apical ancestor, Kija. It keeps that connection close to my heart and reminds me that everything I create carries a responsibility to respect my culture, care for Country, and continue learning from my Elders and from nature itself.

I don’t believe we need all the answers. I believe we need more quiet moments, more time in nature, and more opportunities to reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us.

My hope is that when you spend time with me, join a workshop, or take home one of my creations, you’ll leave feeling a little more connected to Country, culture, spirit, and yourself.