In a powerful photograph from the 1870s, a Ngarrindjeri mother named Teenminnie stands with quiet strength, her toddler cradled securely on her back. Wrapped in a possum skin cloak, a traditional garment woven into the cultural fabric of many Aboriginal communities in southern Australia, she embodies resilience, motherhood, and an unbreakable connection to her people and their Country. This image, captured in the Adelaide region of South Australia by photographer Samuel White Sweet (1825–1886), is more than a moment frozen in time—it is a profound testament to the enduring spirit of the Ngarrindjeri people.
The Ngarrindjeri people, custodians of the lands and waters of the lower Murray River, Lakes Alexandrina and Albert, and the Coorong, have a rich cultural heritage that stretches back millennia. Despite the profound disruptions brought by European colonization in the 19th century, their traditions, stories, and connection to Country remain vibrant. Teenminnie’s portrait, taken in an era of immense change, captures the quiet dignity of a mother navigating her role in a rapidly transforming world.
The possum skin cloak she wears is not merely a piece of clothing but a symbol of cultural continuity. These cloaks, meticulously crafted and often adorned with intricate designs, were used for warmth, ceremony, and storytelling. For Teenminnie, it likely served as both a practical tool for carrying her child and a marker of her identity as a Ngarrindjeri woman.
Samuel White Sweet, a prominent photographer of the colonial era, is known for his detailed and evocative images of both settler and Indigenous life in South Australia. His work provides a rare window into the 19th century, offering glimpses of people and places often overlooked in written records. In photographing Teenminnie, Sweet captured not just her likeness but the strength of her presence—a mother whose gaze and posture speak of care, survival, and sovereignty.
While Sweet’s photographs were often taken in the context of colonial documentation, images like this one transcend their original purpose. They become portals to personal histories, inviting us to reflect on the lives of individuals like Teenminnie, whose stories might otherwise have been lost to time.
Today, this photograph is housed in the State Library of Victoria, a treasure within the colonial archive that speaks to the resilience of Aboriginal peoples. Teenminnie’s image reminds us of the countless personal histories that exist beyond the dominant narratives of colonization. Her presence in the frame is a powerful assertion of Ngarrindjeri sovereignty and cultural identity, a legacy that continues to thrive through the Ngarrindjeri community’s ongoing efforts to preserve their traditions and connection to Country.
The photograph also challenges us to look beyond the surface of historical images. It invites us to consider the stories, struggles, and triumphs of individuals like Teenminnie, whose quiet strength continues to resonate across generations. Her toddler, carried so carefully on her back, represents the future of the Ngarrindjeri people—a future that, despite immense challenges, remains vibrant and unbroken.
Teenminnie’s portrait is more than a historical artifact; it is a call to acknowledge and honor the enduring presence of Aboriginal peoples. It asks us to recognize the resilience of mothers, the power of cultural traditions, and the deep connection to Country that sustains communities like the Ngarrindjeri. As we view this image, we are reminded that history is not just a record of events but a collection of human stories—stories of care, survival, and strength that continue to speak across time.
Let Teenminnie’s gaze inspire us to listen, learn, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Ngarrindjeri people and all First Nations communities. Their stories are not just part of the past—they are a living, breathing part of our shared present and future.
