Back on Country

Creating Space Project

Kim is a Joondoburri Salt-Water woman from Yirin, the traditional name of Bribie Island, South East Queensland.

She found out at the age of 21 that she is Aboriginal.

As a child, Kim's father was sent to a boys’ home to learn Western ways, his mother having been persuaded that this was in his best interests.

In this institution, her father sustained appalling abuse.

Now that her father walks with the Ancestors, Kim shares with the Creating Space Project the story of her family and her culture.

As well as the trauma sustained by First Nations Peoples as a result of colonisation, this is a story of resilience, growth and joy.

“To lose 65 000 years of culture, to lose my language, to lose my stories… I don’t know my language. I would so love to. I know the name of my language. It was Oondoo. But I don’t know anything. Any words. Nothing. It’s a sad thing. But… I know where I’m from. I can connect to my ancestors. I can connect with my country.”

TW: Abuse, suicide attempts