“ Coming into a safe place to talk about our Cultural Lens and the work that we are doing to strengthen the narrative of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers is a refreshing and well needed awaited space for community to talk about their craft and the work that is done both inside South Australia as well as nationally.”

- Pauline Clague

History of First Nation writers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples faced a literary world that erased, omitted and minimised our existence, that controlled, judged, critiqued and criticised our every move.

From fighting to be heard, to leading the fight as truth tellers and change agents, we honour the tenacity and creativity of First Nation writers.

The following is not an exhaustive list. Continue your learnings about First Nation writers, the hostile and exclusive environments they faced, and their lasting legacies.

We acknowledge members of the South Australian First Nation writers group who stand on these shoulders, and using pen and paper, film and video, music and airwaves and more speak truths, break down barriers and create opportunities.

1790 - 1800 Pateyegarang, Bennelong

1790 Patyegarang was a confidant and teacher to lieutenant William Dawes, creating what is now considered to be the first written account of the Aboriginal language of Sydney.

1796 Bennelong dictated a letter to ‘Mr. Phillips, Steward to Lord Sydney.’

1929 - 1970 David Unaipon, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, The Australian Abo Call

1929, Ngarrindjeri man David Unaipon published Native Legends.

1938, The Australian Abo Call was published by the Aborigines Progressive Association

1964, Noonuccal woman Oodgeroo Noonuccal published the first poetry by an Aboriginal person ‘We are going’ and went on to publish a series of award winning poems.

1971 - 1985 Gerry Bostock, Lester Bostock, Jack Davis, Hyllus Noel Maris, Ida West, IAD Press, Identity magazine

First Nation writers were leaders in this rapid period of rising activism. Indigenous writers, poets and film-makers made significant advancements in theatre, film, radio and television, taking significant steps towards controlling our stories.

1986 - 2000 Kevin Gilbert, Doris Pilkington, Jimmy Chi, Maureen Watson, Magabala Books, Lisa Bellear, Alexis West, Jared Thomas, Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-op, AIATSIS, Keeaira Press, Koori Mail, Indigenous radio stations

This period saw further advances in First Nations’ story-telling, through Indigenous owned and controlled publishing houses, theatre and film companies and media organisations. There is also a growing recognition for First Nation writers on a national and international stage.

2001 - 2021 Fabienne Bayet, Anita Heiss, Claire Coleman, Ali Baker, Edoardo Crismani, Dominic Guerrera, Natalie Harkin, Karen Wyld, First Nations Australia Writers Network, NITV, SA First Nation Writers Group, National Indigenous Times, Indigenousx

The hard fought victories of First Nation writers have helped new creatives to keep pushing the boundaries, educating and entertaining using innovative platforms.  A new generation of story-tellers who are revitalising languages, correcting history, and proudly expressing their queerness.

Resources

The breadth of talent of First Nations’ Writers in South Australia and across the country continues to grow.

The following websites will help you to learn more about, connect with, and support Indigenous writers across diverse genres.

BlackWords Australian literature:
Indigenous | National Library of Australia
BlackWords is an AustLit initiative that records information about the lives and works of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers and storytellers. The BlackWords database covers all forms of creative writing, film, television, criticism and scholarship.
VISIT WEBSITE
AIATSIS
Australian institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
AIATSIS
Australian institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
AIATSIS holds the world’s largest collection dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. It includes academic research materials and works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge keepers, artists, film makers, storytellers and writers.
VISIT WEBSITE
Magabala Books
Magabala Books is Australia’s leading indigenous publishing house. Aboriginal owned and led, it celebrates and nurtures talent and diversity of Indigenous voices.
VISIT WEBSITE
IAD Press
Australian Aboriginal Publisher and book shop
IAD Press
Australian Aboriginal Publisher and book shop (link)
IAD established IAD Press in the early 1970s as an in-house printing service producing curricula for language classes at the Institute of Aboriginal Development. It’s grown over the past fifty years into a professional publishing house.
VISIT WEBSITE
Koori Mail, National Indigenous Times, Indigenousx
Visit some of the Indigenous news publications to keep up to date on current stories and events.
KOORI MAIL
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TIMES
INDIGENOUSX