From a commitment to providing a connection to culture for the First Nations child in her care, Sam Sands created the Kauwe Purruna Bush School, which is now helping address gaps in opportunities for cultural learning for other First Nations children in care.

A dedicated foster carer who, Sam has welcomed four children into her family long term, and cared for more than 30 infants in need of emergency or short-term care.

One of the children in Sam’s care, a First Nations child, came to her family at 10 days old. At the time, she believed that having done all the training that was available to her she was well prepared.

“I thought when I took him on that I would just get some artwork, toys, and books connected to his culture, plus I did all the activities and events that Department for Child Protection (DCP) sent us to like Closing the Gap and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day,” Sam said.

“But when AnglicareSA sent me to the SNAICC – National Voice for our Children Conference in Darwin in 2023, I was very much in the minority being non-First Nations.

“While I was there, I heard that to have a First Nations child in care with a non-First Nations family could be detrimental if it wasn’t done right.

“So, I decided that I was really going to listen and learn how I could make this a positive experience for my foster child.”

Sam initially worked with a First Nations artist to form the first iteration of the school, which was called Minya Windas – meaning little owls – however after 12 months the partnership was unable to continue.

“I wanted somewhere where these First Nations children in care with non-First Nations carers could go on a weekly basis where they would learn their culture,” Sam said.

“I wanted arts, crafts, stories about where they come from and their mob, their totems, cooking, and music, but there was just nothing else suitable.”

Determined to develop a grassroots program that could be sustained at a community level, Sam partnered with AnglicareSA cultural practitioners, the Salvation Army, and local First Nations organisations to develop the weekly sessions that would become the Kauwe Purruna Bush School.

Kauwe Purruna – meaning Water of Wellbeing – provides a safe space where children in care and their foster families gather to learn on Country with Elders and cultural leaders sharing knowledge through art, language, storytelling, and connection to land.

“The children just play together like they would back on Country,” she said. “We do as much craft as we are allowed to do – being non-First Nations, culturally we are not allowed to teach art and craft, but we can set it out and let them do what they like with the paintings.

“We were also fortunate to meet Dusty Feet Mob – a dance group of First Nations people and children aged between 6 and 29 years – who have been coming in and teaching the kids dance.”

 

 

Despite the success of the school, including a highly commended in the Reconciliation category of the 2025 Anglicare Australia Awards, Sam said there was more to do and more to learn.

“When I think back to when I just bought all the arts and crafts, books, and the dolls to where we are now – I really knew nothing then and I thought I was doing such a good job.

“It is important that First Nations foster children have something like the Bush School to attend because I think it is just invaluable for them.

“I was told by somebody once that if all I can do for their foster son was make him be a proud First Nations boy, then I’ve done it right. He tells everyone he’s First Nations, and so I think we’re on the right track.”

Sam said however, without all of the other carers, Kauwe Purruna would not be where it was today.

“All these amazing carers tell me how grateful and thankful they are, and I feel honoured that they feel that way, but without them and the support of AnglicareSA, we would not be here.”

Kauwe Purruna Bush School welcomes foster carers and their First Nations children from all agencies.