Grace

“It never failed to surprise Odette how white people were always going on about uplifting Aboriginal people, yet they would demand information about the old ways when it suited them.”
― Tony Birch, The White Girl

“What I need from you,’ the woman added, ‘is your tribal name.’ Odette was puzzled. ‘My tribal name?’ ‘Yes. The tribe of your ancestors, where your people originated from. Whenever I sell native artwork I provide written provenance with the greeting cards, naming the tribe that the artist originates from. It adds to the value of the work, you see?’ She looked at the frowning Odette, sympathetically. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. Perhaps you have lost all contact with …’ The woman blushed with embarrassment.”
― Tony Birch, The White Girl

“You’re right. I don’t need them in front of me, Sis. But, as each tree is different, so is each branch and leaf and flower. What I’m painting this afternoon can’t be painted again. They’re all different. Once this flower dies there won’t be another quite the same.”
― Tony Birch, The White Girl

“Ghosts are what white people put in storybooks and picture shows. They do it to scare people about the dead. The church does the same. It’s about making people afraid. I’m sure they know nothing about the good of a person’s spirit and how it comes forward after death.”
― Tony Birch, The White Girl