From Uluru Statement from the Heart: 

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and according to science more than 60,000 years ago.

When I was still living in Europe, I often read stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australia felt distant, fascinating, and exotic. Only later, after moving to Australia and living here for some time, did I begin to recognise how many of those books were shaped by misconceptions, stereotypes, and inaccuracies. Many of the stories had been told by non-Indigenous authors, without consultation with the communities they portrayed and without the cultural knowledge or respect such stories require. Too often, the dominant, and sometimes only, perspective was that of a white colonial lens. I then realised how important it was to understand who gave voice to the narrative.

In Perth, while working in a school library, I was asked to develop and manage resources to support the teaching and delivery of the Cross-Curriculum Priorities (CCPs) in the Australian Curriculum. The school placed a strong emphasis on the CCPs: sustainability, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. This third priority proved to be challenging and confronting. The library still held old and out-of-date resources with inaccurate information and offensive or derogatory depictions of First Nations Peoples. Those books were removed from the collections and replaced with material that was culturally respectful and spoke the truth. 

This post is just a reflection, a simple reminder of the importance of listening to First Nations voices and seeking out books written, illustrated, or authorised by First Nations authors and communities themselves.

For this reason, I would like to mention some publishers and organisations that support and promote First Nations writers and storytellers. This list is short and not exhaustive; please get in touch with us if you want to share more examples.

Magabala Books

Based in Broome, Magabala Books is an independent Aboriginal-owned publishing house established in 1994 following a landmark gathering of Aboriginal Elders and leaders from the Kimberley region. Since its founding, Magabala has played a vital role in celebrating, preserving, and sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, voices, and cultures.

The organisation is dedicated to supporting First Nations authors, illustrators, and storytellers while recognising the profound contribution Indigenous writers make to Australian literature and cultural life. At the same time, Magabala is committed to protecting the cultural and intellectual property rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring stories are shared with authenticity, respect, and cultural integrity.

AIATSIS

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a national institution dedicated to promoting, preserving, and sharing the histories, cultures, languages, and knowledge of Australia’s First Nations Peoples. Established in 1964, AIATSIS has become one of Australia’s leading centres for Indigenous research, education, and cultural preservation. 

All their ethical guidelines and protocols are very interesting to read.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)

Founded in 2011, IFL is a national charity that works to improve literacy outcomes in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. The organisation provides books, literacy resources, and culturally relevant learning materials to children and families, helping to foster a love of reading from an early age. Beyond supplying books, the ILF also plays an important role in supporting and promoting First Nations writers, illustrators, and storytellers. 

IAD Press

IAD Press is the publishing section of the Institute for Aboriginal Development and has played an important role in supporting Aboriginal languages, cultures, and education for decades. Based in Alice Springs, the publisher is especially recognised for its strong focus on Indigenous language publishing, producing bilingual books, dictionaries, educational resources and children’s literature.

Wanted to have some First Nations Peoples book suggestions? Here are some articles from where to find inspiration: 

• Australian First Nations culture and history: young adult books
• Tell me why: the story of my life and my music by Archie Roach
• My Place, the memoir by Sally Morgan, an Aboriginal write

Enjoy the readings!

Alessandra Giacchi

The photo depicts an Aboriginal Cave Painting, Bunjil Shelter, Black Range, Victoria, Australia. Taken in May 2010 by René Riegal and published on Unsplash