Culture Aware Statement
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that the following may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
My cultural heritage
I am a proud Bundjalung woman through my maternal line. My mother Margaret, grand mother Eileen and great grandfather Billy of Bundjalung nation. I appreciate their love and guidance in spirit. They guide and protect me in the work I do.
I acknowledge and pay my deepest respects to my extended family. My Uncle Peter Costello a Kuku Thaypan man from Cape York, a well respected elder and reconciliation ambassador. My Aunty Dolce Costello his honoured wife from the Koko Yulangi clan of the Daintree Region in Far North Queensland who are both now in spirit. Their love, wisdom and healing partnership guides my work today. They were well respected and loved members of the Hopevale Aboriginal Community.
I am called to do this work through my Uncle Peter, who encouraged me when he was alive. He taught me the traditons of my culture in the 20 years we travlled the world and the East coast of Australia. Today he remains my spiritual guide and greatest fan.
When I use Aboriginal instruments in our work together, I do so with authenticity and cultural awareness and share that unique knowledge with you.
My instruments
Ancestral Spirit Guides
I have experienced great protection and knowledge through my great grandfather and his tribesman. They appear as a mob of 50 with shields and spears to protect and guide us in our work. My uncle Peter Costello a kuku Thaypan Elder who is the connection to spirit who has guided me on this path. I do this work to honour him and his wisdom. He is ever present in my spirit and my knowledge. When I’m in healing work my own mother appears beside Uncle Peter and I know that I am safe. My mother is the compassionate voice, and he is the instructional voice. He is the fire and she is the smoke.
Medicine Drum
I made this grandmother goat skin drum at Anki Groening’s womens retreat on Yuin country in the south coast of NSW. The drum making process forces a rebirth to walk through my own healing to emerge on the other side, standing in the light with this beautiful medicine tool to lead others there. “The creation of the drum is a sacred act, bringing deeper awareness to your own creative process in which we honour the animal whose hide we are working with, the tree, the journey and the gift of life itself.” Anki Groening, Sacred Rising.
Rattle and Clap Sticks
I received my rattle with a blessing in language from an Apache Indian in San Fransisco. The clap sticks from my Shamanic healing mentor Beáta Alfoldi. I work with their guidance and sound to bring about energetic shifts and balance. Sound healing has been used in since ancient times. The basic principle of sound healing is that everything is in a state of vibration. I use the rattle and clap sticks to balance energies within my clients and in the outer environment.
Sage
Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition since ancient times. Burning sage is used to achieve a healing state, clear energy and refresh the inner and outer realms to begin a new more intentioned state and space.