Deborah Rose Archie
Njrinymani Country

Deborah Rose Archie is a participant of ILF’s Talent Pathways Program.

My name is Deborah Rose Archie, but I prefer to be called “Rose”. I was born in Western Australia, in Kununurra. Before moving to a remote community in the Northern Territory — Bulla — where I lived for most of my life. This is Njrinymani Country. My mother’s people are Jaru of Halls Creek (WA) and Walpiri of Central Australia, while my father’s families are Kalkadoon of Mt Isa (Qld.) Although I am not Njrinymani, I consider Bulla Community to be my home. 

When I became interested in art, my classmate and I were taught many different types of art, from carving boab nuts to traditional painting on canvas. Some of these lessons were from my mother, who inspired me a lot. 

Art helps me express my creative ideas, emotions or experiences in a hobby I like doing. I like the art I do because it helps connect to culture and the places I grew up in, things I did and the places I’ve seen or been to; this has shaped my artistic style. So I have an image of what I want to draw days beforehand, based on this. So far, I have done landscapes and animals but lately I’ve begun doing art and illustrations for children. Most of my art is created digitally but on occasion I do hand-drawn art. 

Rusinya ‘Ruby’ Brooks
Pajuwapura Country

Rusinya ‘Ruby’ Brooks is a poet at heart, a storyteller, an artist from Pajuwapura Country, and a participant in the Talent Pathways Program with the ILF.

Here’s what she had to say about her creation for NAIDOC Week:

The Dreaming of the Rainbow Serpent is a story told by many First Nations people of this land.

Like the Rainbow Serpent of our Dreaming, we as a people have adapted to new challenges, to new climates, to new ways of living while remaining true to ourselves and our cultures. The Rainbow Serpent makes their way through the saltwater and the freshwater; through the sky and the lands. In this way, too, we as a people have navigated our way through various changes and have found ways to overcome those challenges and to prosper.

Just like 50 Years of Deadly at the 2026 NAIDOC Week, at its heart, the Dreaming of the Rainbow Serpent is a story, and a reminder, that after all this time we are still here, that we are strong, that our stories of home, our love for our homelands, and of us as a people, will remain.

Zoe Cassim
Bundjalung Country

I am a Bundjalung artist and wadjung (mother) from Northern NSW currently living on Dharug Country. I remember going through the mangroves and fishing, catching crabs and climbing trees. With my Country being shaped by freshwater and saltwater, rainforest and mountains, a lot of my artwork comes from the way I feel when I’m home, and how I want to tell the story of the Countries that I see. Place always features in what I paint.  

About Zoe’s artwork: Storytelling comes in many forms and from many places. The sky Country is represented in the black spaces and dots that sit between the stars. That sits above and around the Songlines that cut through the canvas to connect past, present and future, guided by the footprints of Ancestors, Storytellers and knowledge holders who have come before and walk with us still. I wanted to represent Eora, so Dhinawan (Emu) footprints connect along the Songlines, with Land Country being represented on the bottom of the painting. Lendlease has connected many people, from all over, so Meeting places and journeys are there as part of that diversity and inclusion. 

Sharon Wumantajari Naparulla Burns
Karrinyarra and Papunya Country

My name is Sharon Naparulla. I am a mother to 3 daughters, I am fluent in Pintupi/Luritja and Warlpiri. My family is from Papunya (Warumpi) Community N.T Central Australia and my Father is a retired School principal from Christchurch N.Z. I am currently residing in Mparnte (Alice Springs) N.T. I spent most of my early life learning how to paint watching my Mother, Ada Andy Napaltjarri, and watching extended family members, like my uncle
Clifford Japaltjari Possum, my grandmother Intalura Nungala, and my uncle Michael Jackamarra Nelson just to name a few. They were the founding artists for Papunya Tula.

I mostly paint bush foods, my ancestral Country Karrinyarra (Central Mt Wedge) in the N.T, songlines passed on by my mother and extended family members. I am currently employed with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and I paint mainly as a hobby, as I have a busy life looking after my family.