“The first time I ever shared one of my poems publicly was at the Group. I read it and burst into tears. The poem was very personal for a good friend. I felt safe enough to share this piece. It was in public, but yet a very private space.”
Only a couple of decades ago there were no safe spaces for Aborignal writers in South Australia to come together. Writer’s groups and a writer’s centre were mainstream and felt inaccessible and unsafe for Aboriginal creatives.
South Australian First Nation writers were always crossing paths and connecting. Dominic Guerrera's nanna used to hold informal First Nations writers' meetings in her backyard shed in 1992 that was called Yunin Pulgi. Like minded creatives moving in the same circle and supporting each other.
By the early 2000s, Dr Jared Thomas who was working at Arts South Australia saw a need to create a support network for First Nation writers and harness the growing community. In 2006, Jared hosted a range of community artform forums, including the first gathering of storytellers and writers, at Arts South Australia.
Those attending expressed the hopes of a group that would provide a range of support such as advocacy and skills development, including learning how to publish and edit material, share stories, and network. The South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Storytellers and Writers Group was born with Fabienne Bayet-Charlton becoming the inaugural facilitator. Yaritiji Green took over through the SA Writers Centre with support of Arts SA, organising the first symposium of the group with Dr Jacqui Huggins featuring as keynote speaker.
Other facilitators over the years include Carissa Lee, Alexis West, Ali Cobby Ekermann and now Edoardo Crismani, building on the work of those who have come before.
In 2018, a group of First Nation writers from South Australia went to the first Nation Writers Australia Network (FNAWN) forum in Canberra.
Full of inspiration and energy, the writers created a Facebook site, renamed the group, and the South Australian First Nation Writers Group has since grown to over 200 members, industry supporters and partners.
Regular meetings, guest speakers and informal mentoring provide a safe space for first nations writers across diverse genres and platforms to connect, share and support each other.
Jared Thomas
Fabienne Bayet
Yaritji Green
Carissa Lee
Dylan Coleman
Alexis West
Natalie Harkin
Ali Cobby-Eckerman
Brenton Ezra McKenna
Wendy Lawrie
Rayleen Campion
Mandy Brown
Courtney Hebberman-Brown
Tania Crampton-Larking
Claudia Smith
You laid the foundations for us.
You ignited and carried the torch, giving your time and expertise while facing hostile and exclusive environments. You created a safe place for us to explore and expand our creativity. You understood the collective strength of a South Australian First Nations’ Writer’s Group.
We honour and thank those who continue to volunteer to grow our collective voice, Edoardo Crismani, Dominic Guerrera, Dr Jared Thomas, Jessica Alice, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Travis Akbar, Celia Coultard.
There are many incredible people who have come into our lives and our group as leaders and change agents. First Nations’ people who through their writings shift and transform the world around them. They take all of us along their journey and we are forever inspired by them.
South Australian First Nation Writer’s Group wish to honour Fabienne Bayet, Mandy Brown, Aunty Veronica Brody, Rayleen Campion, Dylan Coleman, Tania Crampton-Larking, Tyberius Larking, Kenny Laughton, Carissa Lee, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Yaritji Green, Natalie Harkin, Courtney Hebberman-Brown, Eva Johnson, Brenton Ezra McKenna, Uncle Lewis O’Brien, Claudia Smith, Alexis West, Georgina Williams.
South Australian First Nations’ Writers Group has more than 200 members. A volunteer run collective, we celebrate, support and grow our community of like minded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives.
We are storytellers… who create for our own mob. Who create to inform, educate and entertain. We are activists and cultural archivists, we are anthropologists and orators.
Our stories, and the platforms we connect with audiences, are as diverse as the First Nations’ peoples we represent. We challenge what it means to be a First Nation writer using books, plays and movies to blackfulla tik tok, insta reels and computer games.
We provide a safe space for South Australian First Nations’ Writers to connect. For emerging writers to explore their craft and receive informal mentoring from more established writers. To hear from other First Nations’ writers like Anita Heiss, Larissa Behrendt and Allison Whittaker, about their challenges and success.
South Australian First Nations’ Writers Group is a place to be inspired, and inspire.
From poetry meetings to presentations from industry experts, our group is creating a movement and momentum that showcases the diversity of South Australian First Nations’ writers.
We want people to know that we are children’s book authors and live slam poetry performers, we are playwrights and podcasters.
IDAHOBIT 2021 • SARAA
You faced discrimination and more by refusing to be quiet, to conform, to reclaim space for non-binary and trans Aboriginal people.
Your staunchness means we are able to continue to explore, communicate, celebrate and share our authenticity.