'A beautifully illustrated account of the life of Magdalene Williams of the Nyul Nyul people. Raised in the confines of Beagle Bay mission in the Kimberley, she was nevertheless exposed to her traditional culture through her Elders. Magdalene's account of the coming of the missionaries, and the destruction of Law and culture is interwoven with the richness and diversity of her Nyul Nyul stories.' (Source: Publisher's website)
Dedication: This book is dedicated to my husband Lawrence Williams, all my children and grandchildren, my sisters Leonie Webster and Biddy Kelly, my brother Kevin Kelly, my cousin Steven Victor, and their husbands, wives and children. And to all my Nyulnyul ancestors, including Felix and Madeleine, Abraham and Sarah, Johanna and Isaac, and the Victor family.
One of the greatest gifts, apart from my stories, that my people left with me is my Nyulnyul language. This language is dying today and only a few people can speak it properly. I want to leave my stories and the list of language words and phrases behind for my family, so that they will benefit from my teachings and retain some aspects of their Nyulnyul identity.
In this essay Heiss not only illustrates the breakdown of stereotypes of what Indigenous relationship with land is, but she showcases the wealth of literature being penned nationally by writers who express the diversity of their experiences of 'country'. Whether it be their traditional lands, places they have chosen to relocate to; those that they or their families were removed to; places that people call home and/or connect to; and those who embrace a physical landscape. An historical, social and political space that renders them specifically and culturally significant to individuals, families and community.
In this essay Heiss not only illustrates the breakdown of stereotypes of what Indigenous relationship with land is, but she showcases the wealth of literature being penned nationally by writers who express the diversity of their experiences of 'country'. Whether it be their traditional lands, places they have chosen to relocate to; those that they or their families were removed to; places that people call home and/or connect to; and those who embrace a physical landscape. An historical, social and political space that renders them specifically and culturally significant to individuals, families and community.
