Did you ever anticipate the kind of success you have experienced over the past 12 years when you were starting out?

No, no I didn’t see it as being feasible.  Me, a girl from the Island.

Do you feel that you are somewhat of a spokesperson for Indigenous people in this country?

I don’t really like having the opportunity to do that.  When I think of spokespeople that role predominately goes to people in sport.  Motivational speaking?  Look I’m terrified in front of a crowd if I’m not singing.  I feel absolutely out of my depth.  I would hope though that I can shed light on issues facing indigenous people and help in that way.

So tell me a little about this new children’s album.  What made you lean in that direction?

Um well I didn’t think that making children’s music should just be left up to a band that cater only to kids.  I just wanted to be able to make music about an Indigenous child, adventures with her Indigenous pals in her Indigenous home.  Something fresh and new.  Something my own children would enjoy.

This album is about giving a name to the Torres Strait and its culture.  The older I get the further away my childhood is.  The fact that most of us grow up in the city…  I can’t raise my children in the same way that I was raised in the Torres Strait.  It was really kind of raw – no flushing toilets.  It was a rude culture shock when my parents packed us up and moved back to the Torres Strait – my mum painted this amazing picture of what life was going to be like.  The airstrips are all grass and up on the Island there ain't no shops like here in the city – making boats that float out of husks of coconuts.  Almost primitive, but very real and free.

I understand that you are going to take the album to the stage as well.  Do you feel that it is important to teach our children about different cultures?

Absolutely.  I think children… they are so much wiser than we give them credit for and totally understand Little Chrissy and what her land is about. 

I’m proud of this product because this little girl is Australian and because you wouldn’t think of having a cassowary in most children’s musical products.  It’s unique and educational and fun.

Hopefully the Australian Education Department will pick this album up and will start to instigate this kind of culture into the schools.  With the emphasis on Indigenality, this is a product for Australians (100% Australian), for all Australians wherever they may be in the world.

How has your public profile affected your relationships with your children?  Can you still go to the park without being approached?

That to me is just a part of my normal life – people asking if I am Christine Anu.  If my children want to get my attention at the supermarket all they have to do is go and stand at one end of the aisle and yell “Christine Anu, can I have this!” and they know I will come running.  Either that or I’ll ditch the trolley and run out of the store.