Intergenerational Healing

Indigenous people are still experiencing the ripple effects of intergenerational trauma today in contemporary life.

We see this in the high and rising number of children being removed from their families, incarceration rates and family violence.

Direct and system racism are ongoing, contemporary drivers of trauma.

The western world has focused on responding to the symptoms of trauma rather than prioritising healing to address the cause.

There is clear evidence that tackling trauma at its root cause, not its symptoms, through culturally based practices, benefits individuals and the community. These include better returns on investment across education, health, justice and family wellbeing.

Trauma is a human experience. What’s unique to the experience of Indigenous people is that our culture heals.

When we restore aspects of our cultures that keep us safe, well and happy we are better able to heal the ripples of trauma from generation to generation.

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My name is Samantha, and I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with ancestral connections to both the Eastern and Central Islands, as well as Kiwi and Scottish ancestry. I was born on the mainland on Turrbal/Yuggera Country and raised on Kaurna Yerta.

My paintings are a contemporary expression of my deep connection with First Nations peoples across many countries. Each piece reflects the relationships, stories, and truths I’ve gathered through my journey.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting over 70 communities across Australia and listening to thousands of people share their lived experiences with me. These stories nourish my soul and deepen my connection to the rich and complex fabric of this nation.

But listening also carries weight. Time and time again, I’m reminded of the ongoing inequities our people face — legacies of colonisation still embedded in our systems and institutions.

My art emerged as a form of healing. Taught to me by healers in different parts of the country, these techniques became a way to process the vicarious trauma I was absorbing while engaging with communities across areas like health and wellbeing, education, child protection, incarceration, domestic and family violence, employment, and justice.

Through repetition and rhythm, these artistic methods calm my mind and allow me to fully process what I’ve heard. Each piece is part of my healing — keeping me strong, grounded, and able to continue fighting for our rights and elevating community voices in my professional life.

Every artwork I create is inspired by a real story — a moment, a voice, a truth I carry with me — and each one stands as a powerful reminder of the collective hope we share for a better future.