Words play an important role in Aboriginal cultures. A long oral tradition meant that storytelling was a vital and significant form of communication in everyday life. That tradition continues today but now we tell our stories through many different mediums. Although visual and performing arts are probably the most recognised and accepted Aboriginal arts, there is a growing number of Indigenous writers who are using their craft to tell stories and histories that are unique to Australia. The Indigenous writing landscape is diverse. There are award winning writers like Kim Scott and Phillip McLaren and community writers who use their craft to continue culture. There are also writers who cross art genres and write for theatre, film and television such as Wayne Blair and Marcus Waters. This diversity offers a rich patchwork of stories from across the country. The Festival is an opportunity to engage with these writers and their work.

The 3rd National Aboriginal Writers’ Festival - Guwanyi (to tell) - brings together a diverse group of writers from across Australia. Well known writers such as Dr. Anita Heiss, Peter Minter, Bruce Pascoe and Melissa Lucashenko join emerging and established writers in a day of stories, yarns, intellectual discussion and like most other Aboriginal gatherings lots of laughter and inspiration.

Poetic Justice

Poets talk revolutionary words! Poetry has always been at the forefront of Aboriginal writing. In the 70s and 80s poetry was a strong voice for Aboriginal injustice. Meet three poets who keep the fire burning.

Lionel Fogarty, Kerry Reed Gilbert, Jim Everett and Ali Cobby Eckermann

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