PRESENTING ELDERS
Fulfilling our destinies according to our cultural traditions. Building strength and resilience
Meet seven Indigenous women living on Ngunnawal country. They share their stories about country, a wedding at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and a road trip that became a journey of healing. Meet a Mother of the Year, the proud granddaughter of a famous shearer, and leaders in education and health.
Partners: CIT Yurauna Centre, PhotoAccess, National Museum of Australia
Watch the digital stories
We acknowledge that these films were made on land owned by the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the Australian Capital Territory and region. We pay respect to their continuing customs, including their elders past and present.
Wherever these films are screened we acknowledge the traditional owners of the country. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to the elders past and present.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island viewers are advised that some of the videos contain images of people who have died.
Growing on Country
by Jennie Gordon
Jennie is the family historian. Meet her Nanna Mabel who died tragically, aged 27, leaving twin boys to be raised by white grandparents and knowing nothing about the circumstances of their mother's death. This story had an impact on Jennie's career choice. Look carefully at the Uluru Statement From the Heart - can you find Jennie's signature?
My Story is My Family
by Maria McIntosh
Maria is a proud Dunghutti woman from Kempsey, raised in Goulburn, and now calling Canberra home. Married at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Maria introduces us to her family, her world.
Dreaming Healing Journey
by Stephanie
Steph takes us on a Journey of healing, heading to her daughter's father's country at the Coorong, Ngarrindjerri country. Because of so many stolen generations, tracing a family tree can be difficult, but they make an exciting discovery. The family's trip takes them to the far north, to Warlpiri and Anmetyerre country.
Belonging
by Monique Sutherland
Monique takes us to Burra Bee Dee, Forky Mountain. We meet her great grandmother, Mary Jane Cain, known as Queenie. Today Monique is a healer and educator and she pays tribute to her family history and love of land and culture - that's where her strength comes from.
Belonging
by Roxanne Brown
Roxanne is a proud Murrawari woman and also the proud granddaughter of William Deucem Smith. Roxanne introduces us to her grandfather, the only Aboriginal to be inducted into the Shearers Hall of Fame in Hay, and the recipient of a Silver Shears trophy.
Growing Beyond my Boundaries
by Caroline Hughes
Caroline's great-grandmother, Bertha Bell, wrote a letter to the Yass Tribune about her oldest son being denied an education because of his Aboriginality. Today that boy's granddaughter is a Director of Indigenous Education supporting others to achieve their dreams.
Nurturing
by Selina Walker
Selina's ancestors taught her that family is everything. From a young age she knew her calling in life was to help, nurture and heal children in need. In 2017 Selina was named the ACT Barnardos Mother of the Year.