Meeting on Country - Shifting Sands artwork by Aunty Sandra Angus

1 June 2026 2 min read

As Australia first scientists, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples have sustained communities, cared for Country, and driven innovation for tens of thousands of years.

To showcase this depth of knowledge and strengthen culturally relevant STEM education, CSIRO supports teachers across Australia to confidently deliver culturally relevant STEM subjects with our suite of Indigenous STEM Education Resources.

CSIRO collaborated with Aunty Sandra Angus and Saltwater People to help tell the story of our commitment to providing culturally relevant STEM education resources that celebrates and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, perspectives and knowledge systems.

Aunty Angus' artwork is displayed across the Indigenous STEM Education Resources. 

'Meeting on Country - Shifting Sands’

This painting depicts our deep connection to mob, with the aim to continue connecting across all modern man-made fences and boundaries. 

From our Elders to our young ones, we strive to develop a sense of belonging while walking alongside each other, when meeting on Country. 

When meeting on Country, we aim to support each other during individual and group activities, through each of our life stages, pathways and personally in our life journey, to instil a stronger sense of belonging. 

On Country, is where we, as a nation, guide and teach and support our young ones to adapt to ever changing times, and without losing our culture, customs or identity. 

This painting recognises the importance of our Elders, of family, and of community members, and of our deep connection to Country, and by inviting other professional advocates to walk beside us.

Therefore, this painting expresses our need to adapt at times, to meet with and engage with, trusted non-Indigenous people from the wider community, who have been identified by community, to support our cultural vision. The key themes identified above, are gained from my personal, community and family connections. 

In the centre of this painting, is an interpretation of a fast and ever-changing Australia, where we as a nation, have to adapt to changing times, while maintaining and preserving our cultural connections and cultural identity. 

Our cultural customs, connections and cultural identity, is maintained through our relationship to land, where we celebrate, learn, maintain and preserve our timeless Knowledge, culture, customs, community, connections and identity.

About Aunty Sandra Angus

Aunty Sandra Angus is an acknowledged Elder and well-respected Aboriginal leader in her community. She proudly identifies as an Australian ‘Saltwater Murri’ with ancestral roots that extend to the Wiradjuri and Wongaibon people in NSW, the Ngarrindjeri people in SA and the Gunggari and Jaggera people in QLD.

CSIRO continues to incorporate Indigenous Knowledges

Together, these resources reflect CSIRO’s commitment to excellence, equity and authenticity in Indigenous STEM education. 

CSIRO’s Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the actions we will take to improve the awareness and understanding of the culture, customs, history and achievements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.