For years, I envisioned creating a palette that honors my Indigenous heritage. The Spiritual Country Palette is a tribute to Ngadjuri Country, drawing inspiration from its cultural elements, including its connection to Ngadjuri astronomy.
The land is not just a backdrop; it is a living, breathing entity that provides guidance, wisdom, and healing. The Spiritual Country Palette draws from this understanding, channeling the beauty and energy of the earth into each color. It’s a way to honor the land and remember that beauty goes beyond the physical, grounding us in a place of strength and connection.
Wakala Beauty’s essence is deeply inspired by my mother May Walker, a proud Ngadjuri, Yorta Yorta and Narungga woman. Her strength and spiritual journey inspire me and her resilience, like the crow often referred to as the
Wakala’s symbol that guides us. The vintage-styled photos of her remind me that beauty is not just what we see—it’s what we carry within.
At the core of Wakala Beauty is the meaning of “Wakala” – “crow” in the Ngadjuri language. The crow, a symbol of transformation, creation, and strength, inspires us to create products that resonate with these values. Just as the crow thrives in various environments and embodies adaptability, like the Spiritual Country Palette is designed to be versatile and empowering. Our products are crafted with clean ingredients, vegan and cruelty-free with a minimalist approach.
For years, I thought of creating a palette inspired by my indigenous heritage. A visit to my grandmother’s country and my birthplace inspired me to start it.
My family descends from Eliza McGrath, a Ngadjuri woman. My grandmother, Susan, pictured on the left, grew up on Point Pearce, Narunnga Country - butterfish mob.
Many Ngadjuri people moved to Point Pearce Misson after its establishment in 1868. Various groups intermarried, leading some Ngadjuri descendants to primialiry identify with other ancestries such as Narungga or Kaurna.
The relocation of Ngadjuri people to missions contributed to the erosion of cultural heritage. The forced displacement disrupted the connection to ancestral lands and the passing down of traditional knowledge, practices and stories were lost.
In 1968, my mother was born to Susan and Kelvin Walker, a Yorta Yorta man. Raised in Melbourne among her father’s family, she later felt a deep longing to reconnect with her roots and returned to South Australia. In 1998, my parents moved to Peterborough, where I was born. Initially unaware of her Ngadjuri heritage, my mother discovered that Peterborough was central to Ngadjuri Country and had personal ancestral significance. Embracing this heritage, she introduced it to me and my sisters. The Spiritual Country Palette was inspired by our journey of rediscovery, highlighting the connection to country.
