The unbroken spirit of the Kalkadoons

The unbroken spirit of the Kalkadoons is a tribute to survival and the enduring power of culture to heal both the land and its people.

Colleen Sam, Kalkadoon (Kalkadunga) woman and visual artist, and her mother, Aunty Ena Sam, share the powerful story of the Kalkadoon people’s resilience, survival, and unwavering strength.

Colleen’s artworks and animations, along with a series of digital stories, recount oral histories of her families' resistance during one of the darkest periods in Queensland’s colonial past.   

For generations, Colleen and Aunty Ena’s ancestors safeguarded their cultural knowledge in secret, ensuring that the Sam family’s identity remained strong, despite persistent efforts to erase it.

The exhibition features a dedicated learning and healing space, including a yarning circle for community discussions.

Family-friendly labels are displayed to support young people’s exploration and learning.