About Chela Wellness
CHELA Wellness is a culturally grounded, trauma-aware, community-led initiative based in Darwin, on Larrakia Land. We provide workshops, women’s circles, and wellbeing programs designed to empower women.
Our practices include yarning circles, guided meditation, somatic practices, journaling, creative expression, sound healing, and restorative group activities, all delivered in safe, nurturing spaces that promote connection, self-worth, and collective wellbeing.
While our programs centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and women of colour, select offerings welcome allies who wish to participate with respect and care. CHELA creates spaces in-person, remote, and online, where women can reconnect with their bodies, their stories, and each other, and reclaim rest, joy, and creativity.
Our goal is to provide accessible, culturally responsive wellness experiences that foster empowerment, community, and personal growth , while building a sustainable, scalable wellness collective that serves women now and into the future.
The Meaning of CHELA
CHELA stands for Community, Healing, Empowerment, Love, and Alchemy.
It’s more than a name, it’s a living intention. Each pillar represents the essence of our work: building community, facilitating healing, empowering women, leading with love, and creating change (alchemy).
Vision
To cultivate a world where Indigenous women and women of colour feel deeply connected, nourished, and empowered, reclaiming their wellness through culturally grounded, community-driven spaces. CHELA is a sanctuary where healing is not only possible but transformative, intergenerational, and generative. This is a place to return. To remember. To rise, together.
Mission
To create accessible, embodied wellness experiences that centre the needs and strengths of BIPOC women, fostering collective healing, creativity, and leadership through practices that are culturally responsive and community-led.
Our Purpose
At CHELA, we create intentional spaces for healing that are culturally responsive, trauma-aware, and community-led. We empower individuals to feel nurtured, present, and embodied, offering gentle yet strong containers for those often overlooked in mainstream wellness. CHELA Wellness is a reminder of wholeness, value, and belonging for all.
Creator of Chela
Hi, I’m Menah McKenzie (Bulanjyan), a proud First Nations woman from Maningrida in West Arnhem Land. My work is rooted in love for my people, culture, and community.
For over a decade, I’ve worked in community services, youth empowerment, suicide prevention, and wellbeing, delivering workshops, creative programs, and safe spaces across Arnhem Land and Darwin. I’ve been honored to co-design programs, receive awards for youth excellence, and speak nationally about culturally safe wellbeing spaces.
I’m the founder of CHELA Wellness, a soft, sacred space for women to rest, reconnect, and rise. Here, we move, breathe, feel, and remember our worth, through dance, journaling, laughter, tears, and healing on our terms.
I’m passionate about breaking mental health stigma, fostering community, and creating offerings that feel like a warm cup of tea. My work is heart-led, spirit-led, and joy-led - because healing doesn’t have to be heavy.
Our Offerings
Chela collective -Monthly Women's Circles
monthly women's circle, workshops & events focused on sisterhood, empowerment, rest, goal systems and joy.
Chela Rise
A journey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to build confidence, care for themselves, and strengthen their wellbeing. Through identity mapping, self-care practices, creativity, self-love, and regulation techniques, participants learn practical tools to support their daily life, relationships, and sense of self.
Enquire below to book
Testimonials from previous work
Excellent workshop, great facilitators, great organisers. leaving feeling nurtured, loved, & blessed. It was a welcoming and a friendly space, I have tools to continue the practice at home
the space was very peaceful and inclusive, I love sitting with other women and yarning while we create together
the workshop was amazing! I loved the vibes, the facilitators were very welcoming. I felt comfortable to just be/exist, which is something I’ve been struggling with
I felt safe and free to speak openly and honestly. Sitting with other strong like-minded, open minded blak women sharing real stories was the highlight of this circle
Acknowledgment
Chela Wellness acknowledges the Larrakia people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We honour their ongoing connection to culture, community, and Country, and recognise the strength, resilience, and wisdom of First Nations peoples across this country.
