Lisa Michl Ko-manggén in collaboration with Jahzara Michl and Yaromir Michl

Kokoberrin

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Jahzara Michl

“Pa la Nganduw Kedew, I am Min mandel, Kedevnt of the White Dingo clan of the Kokoberrin People, Staaten River, Cape York”. Jahzara was born in 2010, and her love for art began to flourish at a young age. Surrounded by a family of artists, she draws inspiration from her mother, Lisa Michl Ko-manggén, a renowned artist with a global following. Jahzara also has roots in Jamaica, adding to the richness of her diverse heritage, which has greatly influenced her artistic journey.

Her ancestral homelands, known as Pinnarinch, stretch from Mudpalangen to the mouth of the Staaten River, encompassing the areas between and slightly beyond the Barku, Nassau, and east to Lynd River in the central west coast of Cape York Peninsula. Jahzara’s totems were passed down from her great-grandfather Min mandel (Grey and White Fish Hawk) and Kedevnt (Jelly Fish). Her sixth-generation inheritance is the saltwater crocodile passed on by his Kokoberra grandmother, Priscilla Major, Ma Cheltrulalie.

Today, the Kokoberrin people reside predominantly in Kowanyama, Normanton, and other communities in northern Queensland, where they work diligently to uphold and preserve their cultural traditions through various cultural maintenance activities.

In the past four years, Jahzara has showcased her artwork, displaying her exceptional talent and unwavering passion. Alongside her artistic endeavors, she enjoys creating craftworks, playing the double bass and electric bass, and lending her voice to the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir and her school choir. Jahzara’s dedication to her art and culture shines through in all aspects of her life, making her a remarkable young talent to watch.

Kokoberrin

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Yaromir Michl

“Pa la Nganduw Kedew, I am Kedew, Mi waler of the White Dingo Clan of the Kokoberrin People, Staaten River, Cape York”. Yaromir developed a passion for art at a young age. Growing up in a family of artists, he found inspiration from his mother, Lisa Michl Ko-manggén, a renowned artist with a global following. On his father’s side, Yaromir has ties to Jamaica in the Caribbean, adding to his diverse heritage that has greatly influenced his artistic journey.

His ancestral homelands, known as Pinnarinch, stretch from Mudpalangen to the mouth of the Staaten River area, encompassing the Barku, Nassau, and Lynd River regions in the central west coast of Cape York Peninsula. Yaromir’s totems, passed down from his great-grandfather, include a white Dingo, Silver Seagull, and glistening ocean water. His sixth-generation inheritance is the saltwater crocodile passed on by his Kokoberra grandmother, Priscilla Major, Ma Cheltrulalie.

Today, the Kokoberrin people mainly reside in Kowanyama, Normanton, and other communities in northern Queensland, where they work diligently to uphold and preserve their cultural traditions through various cultural maintenance activities.

Over the past three years, Yaromir has demonstrated his love for art by leading his school’s NAIDOC week mural projects. In 2024, he was awarded Artist of the Year at his school, solidifying his dedication and talent.