Fierce Girls is celebrating First Nations women who Get Up! Stand Up and Show Up! As Australia celebrates NAIDOC week in July, we’re putting the spotlight on seven fierce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

This episode is about Queenie McKenzie, the girl who became a living treasure. Listen to the full podcast. 

Queenie McKenzie grew up on a cattle station, staying away from the grasps of the authorities, who would take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids like her from their families at will. As she grew up, she solved problems everywhere she saw them.  From building schools and teaching kids in her community, to saving a man’s life by repairing his scalp stitch by stitch.

But deep down, she wanted to tell the stories of her Country. To preserve their importance.

She started painting in her 70s — becoming the first woman in her community to do so — and realised the power of telling stories through art. And once she started, she never stopped.

Narrated by Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money.

Download the education resource [PDF] to guide learning activities and classroom questions.