Additional information
by Mel Brown (Author)
Melinda Brown (Ngunnawal woman) shares the story of discovering her heritage and how the journey to understand her culture gave her the strength to find her place in the world.
Mel Brown is an Australian Aboriginal Ngunnawal woman. This is her story. Growing up white, Mel always felt that there was another shade to her soul. Despite an early life marred by moments of sheer despair and the agony of domestic violence, somehow Mel found the strength to survive. Then, as a young mother, she unlocked her ancestry's secrets without realising the challenges that came with identifying as Aboriginal in Australia. Shades of Me follows Mel's journey as she redefines who she is and how she sees her place in the world. As Aboriginal families are being torn apart, this is a story of one woman's fight to keep them together - one family at a time. And in helping others, finds her true path in life. Mel's memoir is not just one of black or white or even a single shade in between: as she has discovered in her work for the community, everyone's story is different; hers is simply Shades of Me.Author Biography
AUTHOR LIVES IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA. Melinda Brown is a Ngunnawal woman who resides in the Northern Rivers Bundjalung Nation and has attained a Master's in Indigenous Healing and Trauma. Mel embraced her clairvoyant skills many years ago, and embarked on a journey to understand that her spiritual beliefs were not just limited to her Aboriginal culture, but encompassed many different types of beliefs from cross the world. Mel has a unique way of highlighting that the ownership of spirituality belongs to the each individual and is not defined by labels or limited to just one understanding of life and creation, and as human beings, our spiritual needs cannot usually be met by one singular belief system. The melding of cultures and spiritual beliefs lead Mel to create a range of Aboriginal Oracles cards which are being increasingly recognised across the world. Mel is always working on the "next" deck, and embraces her creativity as a therapeutic way to better understand that spirituality is unique and individual for all our Brothers and Sisters across the Universe. As a professional Speaker and Trainer, Mel is known for her expertise in Aboriginal cultural competency, and lateral violence both Nationally and Internationally. Mel was recognised for her work in the area of service provision for Aboriginal families, and was awarded an ACT Public Service Award for the "Most Improved Services to Aboriginal Children and Families in the ACT", by the ACT Chief Minister, and in 2011, NSW Industry & Investment recognised Mel as one of the top 3 Aboriginal business women in NSW.
Instagram: @spiritdreamingau
Website: https: //www.spiritdreaming.com.au/
