About

Gulpa (Welcome) to Wanala Weaving

My ngatha (name) is Samantha. I am a proud Yorta Yorta Winyarr (woman).

I live on the lands of the Wurundjeri people in Naarm (Melbourne) 

"Wanala" means "seasons," a name I’ve chosen to reflect the natural rhythms of change and growth that we all experience, much like the changing seasons in our environment.

Through my woven creations, I honour the language and traditions of my ancestors, the Yorta Yorta people.

I incorporate and revive the Yorta Yorta language in my work, with each piece standing as a testament to the resilience of First Nations culture.

I weave words and phrases that were once spoken by my ancestors, breathing new life into them.

I thoughtfully handweave each item using traditional Aboriginal techniques; each piece is crafted with care and respect.

I was fortunate to learn the art of weaving with native sheoak leaves and raffia using a coil technique, which an elder of the Naarm community imparted to me when I was only 12.

My mother’s work caring for our elders at ACES (Aboriginal Community Elders Service) exposed me to this profound tradition.

During the COVID lockdowns, I rediscovered the art of weaving, finding an outlet that helped me stay grounded.

Through this journey, I discovered a joy and passion for sharing weaving knowledge, inspiring a sense of connection and community in others.

Thank you for supporting my journey as I reconnect with my culture, language, and heritage.