This painting shows the sun, representing my Elders, sharing their warmth and their dreaming stories with me so that I know I belong to them, even though I didn't have the opportunity to grow up hearing their stories. Their tears created the waterway- the River of Life. The land and the water are sacred to our people, the Yuin people, and this is my storyline along the waters edge. They would sit near the water to yarn and share their stories. Yuin believe our warrior ancestors are re-incarnated as killer whales, or orcas (Gawura); and Yuin women are re-incarnated as stars. The black duck (Umbarra) is totem for the south coast Yuin people, it is our protector; the lyrebird (Ngaran Ngaran), totem for people of the Shoal haven, is a symbol of peace and forgiveness.