This painting is titled Bama, which means family in my Kuku-Yalanji language. It is a reminder for me to stay connected with loved ones as January 26 approaches. 

Painting is a way of connecting to my culture, which helps me to cope with the mourning and reflection that a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples do around this time of year. Invasion day can be very triggering for us mob, so it's important that we know how to keep safe emotionally. 

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I try to focus on my breath. Inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for seven, exhaling for eight. And then I might go for a walk to think about how I'm feeling. And if I'm still feeling upset, then I'll have a yarm to my mob, just to get things off my chest. Sometimes even a phone call just helps me to relax.