Tiana Christie

I need to preface this with the fact that what I am writing about is my experience and my experience alone. I realise that I cannot speak on this issue for anyone but myself. All I have set out to do is pen down my own set of circumstances and experiences. My Indigenous identity is something I have struggled with a lot. Constantly trying to figure out exactly where I fit in the whole spectrum of things. I have watched as my siblings have confidently spoken on issues where I have felt like it is not my place. I do not want to be that person anymore. I am hoping this is a step in the right direction. I am eight years old sitting at a long white desk. There are about 15 other kids sitting in the same room at the same desks staring at the same piece of paper as me. All we have to do is fill out the front page for a practice test for our Year 3 NAPLAN. I fill out my full name. Tiana Michelle Smyth. I stare at the only other section that needs to be filled out. I

Amidst all the crazy things going on in the world at the moment there are some glaringly obvious positives for me personally. On the weekend it was announced that Victorian schools would close early, this meant all my work as a piano teacher in schools was cancelled until further notice. This was also at a time when Liam had developed flu-like symptoms and we decided it best to stay home and away from the world for a while. We have spent SO MUCH time together (but on different couches, separate beds and with a whole lot of Glen 20) – playing card games, playing our instruments, watching movies, doing puzzles, eating chicken soup, and talking. And I have to tell you I reckon my husband is pretty cool. This past week has reminded me why we were friends in the first place. He is my favourite person to talk to, he always remains calm and quiets my own anxieties, and he’s funny. Of course, I knew all of this already, but it was pleasantly refreshing being reminded despite the blea