Introduction Margot Shave

Gidhal A collection of stories from our First Nations’ people

A representation of art. An acknowledgement of the achievements of family-members and relatives. Gidhal is an original repository of the cultures from the communities of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. Over the course of 2019 and 2020, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students of St Margaret’s participated in a number of workshops with journalists, listened to Aboriginal storytellers, connected with artists and learnt about the State Library’s efforts to protect the language of First Nations’ people and culture through their archives. They have, in turn, connected with family, friends and members of their community to offer a snapshot of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s cultures they represent. The culmination of these incursions and excursions has seen each student submit a story, artwork, interview or profile to represent their community or family. Students have shared recipes from treasured family cookbooks, photos from home, artworks from family members, who are also internationally recognised artists, and profiles of Aboriginal activists. One of the wonderful outcomes of the project has been a closer connection between the school and the families of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, many of them boarders. By honouring the contributions from the students and their families, St Margaret’s has hopefully reiterated our deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture. The girls are from ten communities across Queensland, New South Wales and the Torres Strait. Collectively they speak 11 languages. Welcome to Gidhal. These are our stories.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware this magazine may contain images and words from deceased people.