No Longer A Wandering Spirit

Name: No Longer A Wandering Spirit
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9781760802226
Price: 44.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

Family and kin reclaiming the memory of Minang woman Bessy Flowers

By Sharon Huebner and Ezzard Flowers

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Summary

No Longer a Wandering Spirit tells the poignant story of Bessy Flowers, a Minang Aboriginal woman from Western Australia's Great Southern region who left her homeland in 1867 and never returned. Educated, musical, and hopeful, Bessy faced the harsh realities of colonial society despite her admirable qualities. Through archival letters and photographs from the 1860s, the book traces her journey and spiritual return to her ancestral resting place, weaving themes of family, kinship, and country.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$44⁹⁹

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No Longer A Wandering Spirit

$44⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in Australian history, Indigenous stories, and personal narratives of resilience amidst colonial challenges.

"Bessie Flowers was Minang Noongar woman born in 1851 in King Georges Sound, Albany. She lived at Annesfield mission until she was 16 but spent most of her adult life in Victoria. She is remembered for her gifts as a pianist and singer, for her dedication to teaching, and as a strong Noongar woman who fought to keep Aboriginal families together"--Publisher's description.

Description

Bessy Flowers is a hero of mine, and I'm very glad she's at the centre of a book that features her images and writing, along with the remarkable journey to situate her in family and Country. - Kim Scott

Kia Kia, Noogiting Wirren, Minang Yorga, Minang Boodja

No Longer a Wandering Spirit acknowledges the sleeping spirit of Bessy Flowers, a Minang ancestor belonging to the Great Southern of Western Australia.

Bessy moved away from her Minang homeland in June 1867, never to return. She was a young Aboriginal woman, educated, musical, confident and hopeful.

On Thursday I wished I was going to Church instead of rocking about in the steamer...Often & often my thoughts fly to dear Albany.

Admired for a time, Bessy's esteemed qualities could not shield her from the injustices of colonial society.

I hope you will allow us to stay on this station it comes hard on the children and myself wandering about without a home...Please listen to my prayer for it is a prayer for a home.

No Longer a Wandering Spirit is Bessy's story told through archival letters and photos dating from the 1860s. Bessy's spiritual return home to the resting place of her ancestors is encapsulated by unifying expressions of family, kin and country.

'This book is a story told through the experience and emotions of my family. It's our journey of reconnecting and of discovering a stronger sense of who we are.' - Ezzard Flowers

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760802226

Publisher: UWA Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 March 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: UWA Publishing

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

Foreword by Kim Scott

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 159.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 500g

Pages: 300

Collections

Australian & Pacific History Ezzard Flowers History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Sharon Huebner

About the Author

Dr Sharon Huebner is a multi-disciplinary researcher in the complex spaces of relational collaborations, politics of agency, applied ethics and Indigenous principles, practices and governance. She is a recipient of an Australian Research Council (ARC), Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) at the Australian National University 2022-24 and holds a PhD from Monash University, Australia, 2016.

Ezzard Flowers is a Goreng-Wirlomin man who has dedicated his life to supporting future generations of Aboriginal people as an Indigenous mental health specialist whose focus is on healing. Ezzard is John Curtin Medalist, recognized for his vision, leadership and community services in the repatriation of the Carrolup Artworks to Australia and is also a recipient of the Multicultural Community Service Award 2007, for his work in promoting reconciliation and Indigenous culture.