NaRLA Gallery

My Family, My Country

Painting by Nginity Wayne Krause

Story 1

My country (Home lands) once was vibrant and full of life. Through the changes which had come over my ancestors land it has now been changed into desert lands. Many of our totems (family) have disappeared and never to return. Paddocks have been made where my grandfathers and brothers (Red Gum and Malley trees) once stood. Grandmother's milk (water ways) have been cut off and/or diverted leaving many families thirsty.

My Mother ancestor walks the earth seeing what change has happened to her home lands. She is feeling joyful and strong knowing that knowledge of the earth will help bring back the spirits and energy to family and country. She sees new growth (brothers) shooting up bring new hope to all mother is to care for. She sings for her family to grow strong and health. You are my family, my country I will care for you in death as in life.

Through love, care and knowledge we can bring back our spirit to country. Thus bring life and happiness to all.

Dreamtime Story

Bohar (kangaroo) and Dhinewan (mother emu)

Bohar and emu were married. They were out one day and they came to rest out on the plans. Bohar had build a gunha (hut) and they were both resting. After a while emu became restless and kick the side of the wall, putting a hole in the wall. Bohar ask why she had put a hole in the wall and she said because she was bored. He had told her to fix the hole and she had done so. Not lone a fter she had kick another hole in the wall, he had asked her again and she had given the same answer and again he had told her to fix the hole. Emu had kept on doing this until there were no more grass around the fix the holes. Bohar and said then find some. Emu had tried but there were none. It was now dark out side. Bohar had said to emu we will have to walk until we find some. They walk in the dark for a long time as they were walking emu was getting spikes in her feet from the bindies. She had to rest and when she did she would rub her feet together. Rubbing her feet had pushed the bindies further in and they formed lumps all over her feet.

Emu from this day on has little lump all over her feet.