This print is based on the effects of marijuana and how its use makes you lose touch with your family, community and your culture. Family, community and culture are integral to Torres Strait Islander identity. This print shows, from top to bottom, family connections; our strong association with sea food such as fish and turtle; our seafaring ways; Christianity; weaving and dance traditions. Smoking drugs makes culture seem unimportant and causes disrespect to our elders. We need to keep our culture strong and retain our identity for future generations.

---

The image embodies traditional knowledge of the Thursday Island community. It was created with the consent of the custodians of the community. Dealing with any part of it for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Thursday Island community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about this and other permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact George Gabey via Tagai State College Thursday Island Secondary Campus.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

The canvas was painted by Michael Gallagher of the Walungurru (Kintore) Community and represents his depiction of cannabis and drug problems on communities. On the left side, he has drawn pictures of healthy lifestyle choices made by young people including softball and football. On the right hand side, he has drawn representations of cannabis and drugs from his experience. The translation of his story (top) reads like this:

“Long ago they (our young people) were sniffing petrol and smoking gunja. Now, they are safe and well (finally). Take care of our home, Walungurru (Kintore). Leave it - petrol and gunja! Listen to your elders – our grandfathers and grandmothers.”

Michael Tjangala Gallagher

---

The image embodies traditional knowledge of the Kintore community. It was created with the consent of the custodians of the community. Dealing with any part of it for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Kintore community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about this and other permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact the Kintore community.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

This artwork depicts a healthy, safe community - free from cannabis, alcohol and other drugs. In discussions prior to completing the artwork, the women decided that rather than depict images of how cannabis robs them of culture and identity, they would paint something that reminds people of where their sources of strength come from. The painting includes images of families, local food, animals and plants, as well as the local mountain ranges – a source of strength, identity and women’s and men’s ‘dreaming’ and ceremony country – Pulikutjarra (Two Hills) and Ngintaka (Perentie).

---

The image embodies traditional knowledge of the Kintore community. It was created with the consent of the custodians of the community. Dealing with any part of it for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Kintore community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about this and other permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact the Kintore community.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

Cannabis came to our community in the early years; it had never been part of our culture. It caused conflict, loss of family values, younger children to be neglected, loss of respect towards Elders and other community members, mental illness and sadness.

The community was in fear of the anger and depression cannabis was causing. Darkness came over the community as cannabis use increased. The stronger members saw the effects on individuals and knew that path was wrong. With their strength and leadership, with their knowledge of family and culture, guidance and support is being given to those affected by drug use. The darkness is being lifted and the community is moving forward to a brighter future. Drugs will not ruin our life, our community, it is not our culture.

---

The image embodies traditional knowledge of the Jubullum community. It was created with the consent of the custodians of the community. Dealing with any part of it for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Jubullum community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about this and other permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact the Jubullum community.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

This artwork depicts evil spirits rising from the cannabis leaf and the footsteps are the individuals turning their back and walking away from it all.

---

The image embodies traditional knowledge of the Wiradjuri community. It was created with the consent of the custodians of the community. Dealing with any part of it for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Wiradjuri community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about this and other permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact the Wiradjuri community.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

My painting represents the life-force I believe everybody is born with. As it grows it can go two ways. It can flourish or it can wither away. When we flourish we grow healthy and strong and are at peace with ourselves. Or we can go the other way and slowly wither, losing our health and the peace that gives us a good life and makes us grow strong.

As a mother I know too well how it can affect a whole family and destroy lives. It is hard to watch a child throw his life and health away. Never having money, trying so hard to keep the branches strong so they grow big and strong. If you have ever had one of your branches poisoned then you know how too well it can destroy their growth and prosperity. If as a community we can grow together and show awareness we would flourish. People need people just as plants need water and tender loving care. There is nothing better than watching your children grow strong and happy, having a good life and spreading their seed growing new life. I hope all plants can grow strong, healthy, happy and spread their seed leaving a good legacy.

---

For enquiries about permitted reproduction and use of the image, please contact Amanda McGowan via Waminda South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation, Nowra.

Artwork photography by Matthew Venables.

The artists wanted to create a work that portrayed the importance of connection to Aboriginal culture and a journey beyond substance use for those who experienced the negative impacts of cannabis use.

The use of smoke as a motif throughout the work on mirrors can provide a double meaning for the viewer. While there is a link to smoke as an aspect of cannabis use which has a negative effect of masking reality, there is a more profound connection to what smoke symbolises culturally. From a ritual perspective the smoking ceremony using gum leaves is for cleansing and represents a vital part of cultural strength, health and spirituality. The tension of holding these two perspectives provides the viewer with an opportunity to consider how they identify with smoke as they see themselves reflected in the context of the artwork.

As an individual we sometimes struggle and when we come into community we are able to achieve our goals and walk together in strength.

Kerrie Black

The work symbolises the reality of being trapped in the cycle of drug use and the potential to change and grow. Three spirit figures within a tree - male, female and youth, represent the effect of drug use on everyone. One side of the tree is dead, representing being trapped in a life of drug use. One side of the tree is alive representing growth and hope.

Rodney Blair

The gum leaves and smoke that are shown in this work are symbolic of the smoking ceremony and health of our people.

Dianne McGee

---

For enquiries about reproduction and use of the artwork, please contact the artists via the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.

Artwork photography by Tom Armstrong.