‘I hear the echoes of songs that tell stories of my ancestors. They whisper the names of ancient warriors who stand beside me. Whispers of our Mother’s songs that guide us with 70, 000 years behind them. ‘
‘I wish to acknowledge the custodians of this land, the Dharug people and their Elders past and present. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Sydney and this region.
I am honoured to be on the ancestral lands of the Dharug people. I would like to acknowledge the First Australians as the traditional custodians of the continent, whose cultures are among the oldest living cultures in human history. I pay respect to the Elders of the community and extend my recognition to their descendants who are present.’
In the beginning of 2019 I met with Chanttel, who worked for an Aboriginal Community and Childcare facility Yenu in Western Sydney. I met with her initially to discuss the possibility of families wanting to be involved in a photographic project I was organising in hopes to highlight the beautiful culture of Indigenous Australia. Sadly, I had not had much opportunity in the past despite my diverse portfolio and made it ,y personal endeavour to photograph and discover more about Aboriginal families and culture.
Chanttel welcomed me like family, so warm and inviting. Our connection was instant and we chatted over a cuppa about her hopes for her community as Director and the challenges she had come across as an Aboriginal woman.
Over the next coming months, Chanttel believed in the power of photography so much we decided to try and put together a pitch to receive funding so that every Aboriginal parent coming into her community would have the chance to honour and celebrate their culture - and family bond.
After months of planning we hit a wall with board directors, we were approved. Just not with funds. We both donated as much as we could with Chanttel given news she would need to take on a little newborn to raise.
6 months had past then a global pandemic and Chanttal contacted me with the new of celebrating the little ones 1st birthday. We both became really excited about doing a shoot for him and got together in the coming week. Spending time in her home it came to my attention that he wasn’t the only child she had under her wing. Chanttel proudly and effortlessly looks after not only 1 but 7 kids in total - Not having any children herself. I am in complete awe, at the grace, love and selflessness this woman has for her family and community.
