No Longer A Wandering Spirit

'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

About the Authors

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.