Free workshops running daily | 11–13 July | 10am–12pm & 2pm–3pm
Internationally renowned cultural leader, filmmaker, and author Samantha N. Martin, widely known as The Bush Tukka Woman, will bring her extensive knowledge of native Australian foods and survival skills to life at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) '25, with a series of free, hands-on workshops held daily from 11 to 13 July.
Born in the East Kimberley and raised on Country by her mother, Nancy Martin, and a lineage of Elders, Samantha has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing First Nations knowledge of bush foods and cultural practices through education, storytelling, and connection.
According to Martin, next month’s CIAF workshops will provide a rare opportunity for festivalgoers to learn directly from a woman whose personal journey and cultural leadership have inspired communities across Australia and beyond.
A best-selling author, Martin’s “Bush Tukka’s Guide” has helped introduce native foods to kitchens worldwide. At the same time, her long-running SBS/NITV series My Bush Tukka Adventures continues to connect viewers to Country, culture, and Elders.
As the founder of Tribal Voice Connections, Samantha works closely with schools, Indigenous health services, and remote communities to share traditional survival skills, mentor young people, and foster cultural pride.
“Bush tukka is more than food—it’s medicine, it’s memory, and it’s connection."
“Everything I do is about keeping that knowledge alive and passing it on the way it was given to me,” Ms Martin said
Samantha Martin’s workshops at CIAF will take place at the Tanks Arts Centre hub and are designed for all ages.
Participants will be guided through the identification, uses, preparation techniques, and cultural context of native foods, with a strong emphasis on respect for Country and traditional knowledge systems.
CIAF Artistic Director, Teho Ropeyarn, said Samantha’s inclusion in the program reflects CIAF’s commitment to cultural exchange, learning, and First Nations leadership.
“Samantha is a storyteller, a teacher, and a powerful advocate for cultural sustainability."
“Her presence at CIAF offers festivalgoers the chance to engage with bush foods in a meaningful, hands-on way that connects back to the wisdom of our Elders,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
Martin’s extraordinary career has taken her from the Kimberley to Cape York and Arnhem Land, and from outback Australia to the international stage—working with the Australian Embassy and guest lecturing on cruise liners across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Whether through her work in television, publishing, or as a cultural consultant, Samantha Martin has shown how food can be a vital tool for healing, learning, and empowerment.