NAIDOC – Queenie McKenzie: the girl who became a living treasure
Jun 29, 2022
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Queenie McKenzie, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, grew up on a cattle station, defying authorities. She later became an artist, using her paintings to preserve the stories of her Country. The podcast explores McKenzie's life, including her resourcefulness, saving a man's life, and advocating for education. It also highlights her artistic journey, where she became the first woman in her community to paint, gaining recognition as a cultural leader.
Queenie McKenzie resisted assimilation policies and fought to preserve her identity and connection to her land.
Queenie McKenzie became the first woman in her community to paint, using natural materials from her surroundings, and her art became a powerful medium to tell the stories of her Country.
Deep dives
Queenie McKenzie's Struggle with Assimilation Policies
Queenie McKenzie, a girl with fair skin and curly hair, faced the threat of being taken away from her family due to assimilation policies. These policies allowed authorities to separate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, with the belief that they would be better off adopting white ways. However, Queenie strongly resisted leaving her land, her special place of connection and secrets. Despite being stuck between two worlds, she held onto her identity and fought against assimilation.
Queenie McKenzie's Journey as a Leader and Artist
Queenie McKenzie, growing up on Old Texas Downs cattle station, became the station cook and tried her hand at various tasks. However, it was her deep connection to the land that fueled her purpose. Queenie took matters into her own hands when she realized there was no school for the children in her community. She gathered women and taught the kids about language, culture, and the land itself. Later, inspired by her friend Rode, Queenie became the first woman in her community to paint, using natural materials from her surroundings. Her extraordinary art, filled with love and truth, gained recognition and made her a living treasure.
Queenie McKenzie grew up on a cattle station, staying away from the grasps of the authorities, who would take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids like her from their families at will. As she grew up, she solved problems everywhere she saw them. From building schools and teaching kids in her community, to saving a man’s life by repairing his scalp stitch by stitch.
But deep down, she wanted to tell the stories of her Country. To preserve their importance.
She started painting in her 70s — becoming the first woman in her community to do so — and realised the power of telling stories through art. And once she started, she never stopped.
Narrated by Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money.
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