T-shirt, Wisdom Keepers

Chloe Jones is a First Nations artist, emerging curator and writer, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, currently residing Wurundjeri land (Victoria).

This painting symbolises the importance of our Elders and how they are our wisdom keepers and guardians of knowledge. They are the key to preserving our sacred stories and culture.

This is a story about the many stories and lessons that our Elders always hand down to future generations. Together with their Elders, the young listen to stories about the land, the water, the sky, and the people. They take these stories with them as they grow and become men and women, and one day Elders too. As the next generation of Elders, the young now sit down with them to listen to the same stories. The cycle continues, and so do their culture and the spirits of the land, water, and sky.

These stories help our people develop a sense of identity and a connection to the land. Our Elders always assure us to stand firm in our beliefs, rooted in knowledge, and with our feet standing strong in the soil of our Country. Our Elders have important knowledge in preserving the life of our land and waterways. We must listen to Indigenous voices, especially the voices of our Elders, if we wish to protect life here in our country.