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Kunyi June-Anne McInerney Kunyi June-Anne McInerney i(A51726 works by) (a.k.a. June Anne McInerney; June Kunyi McInerney)
Born: Established: 1950 Oodnadatta, Far North South Australia, South Australia, ;
Gender: Female
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Yankunytjatjara
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BiographyHistory

Kunyi (June Anne) McInerney is a much-exhibited artist and book illustrator, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Studies.

She was born at Todmorden Station, north of Oodnadatta in South Australia. Her artwork has featured in many exhibitions in Queensland and South Australia. She and her seven siblings were removed from their family and sent to United Aborigines Mission Home in Oodnadatta and then to various foster and adoptive care arrangements in Adelaide.

McInerney's story was recorded by the National Library of Australia for the Bringing Them Home oral history project and appeared in the associated publication Many Voices: Reflections on Experiences of Indigenous Child Separation, edited by Doreen Mellor and Anna Haebich (2002).

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Kunyi Broome : Magabala Books , 2021 21854805 2021 single work picture book life story children's

'Kunyi June Anne McInerney was just four years old when she and of her siblings were taken from their family to the Oodnadatta Children’s Home in South Australia in the 1960s.

'Through an extraordinary collection of over 60 paintings, accompanied by stories, Kunyi presents a rare chronicle of what life was like for her and the other Children’s Home kids who became her family.

'Her paintings are a healing trove of memories that reveal the loneliness, fear and courage of the Stolen Generation children who were torn from family and loved ones. From bible lessons to sucking bone marrow and collecting bush fruits, the escapades, adventures and sorrows of the children are painted with warmth, humour and unflinching honesty.

'Kunyi’s story is one of healing and reconciliation. She is telling it so that the lives of the children at Oodnadatta Children’s Home will not be forgotten. This is a collection of tender and honest stories that will educate children on our nation’s history and remind adult readers of the real impact of the Stolen Generations.' (Publication summary)

2022 winner Queensland Literary Awards Griffith University Children’s Book Award
2022 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year
2022 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Eve Pownall Award
y separately published work icon Kunyi Broome : Magabala Books , 2021 21854805 2021 single work picture book life story children's

'Kunyi June Anne McInerney was just four years old when she and of her siblings were taken from their family to the Oodnadatta Children’s Home in South Australia in the 1960s.

'Through an extraordinary collection of over 60 paintings, accompanied by stories, Kunyi presents a rare chronicle of what life was like for her and the other Children’s Home kids who became her family.

'Her paintings are a healing trove of memories that reveal the loneliness, fear and courage of the Stolen Generation children who were torn from family and loved ones. From bible lessons to sucking bone marrow and collecting bush fruits, the escapades, adventures and sorrows of the children are painted with warmth, humour and unflinching honesty.

'Kunyi’s story is one of healing and reconciliation. She is telling it so that the lives of the children at Oodnadatta Children’s Home will not be forgotten. This is a collection of tender and honest stories that will educate children on our nation’s history and remind adult readers of the real impact of the Stolen Generations.' (Publication summary)

2022 winner Queensland Literary Awards Griffith University Children’s Book Award
2022 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year
2022 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Eve Pownall Award
Last amended 22 Jun 2015 14:32:07
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