Well, here we are at the end of 2012 Indigenous Literature Week at ANZ LitLovers, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated. I feel humbled by the way my readers have lent their support by reading, reviewing, blogging, tweeting and advertising this event in social media.
I would also like to thank Magabala Books and UQP (University of Queensland Press) for donating books for the Giveaways.
NAIDOC Week is designed to be a celebration of indigenous culture and achievement – and my aim in hosting an Indigenous Literature Week to coincide with NAIDOC Week was to encourage people to seek out and enjoy the books that indigenous authors have contributed to Australian and New Zealand literature. However, there has been an unexpected bonus. This site now has links to an amazing collection of reviews featuring all kinds of indigenous literature – from children’s books to YA; from memoir to history: and fiction of all kinds. This is a marvellous resource which can be accessed by anybody anywhere, and hopefully it will grow and grow over time. I would encourage anyone who in the future reads and reviews indigenous writing to contact me using the Mr Linky button and comments box on the reviews page – and I’ll add your contribution to this database.
I will also try to update the resources page when new books come to my attention. You might like to bookmark this page because you can also use it to access links to
- the AustLit database BlackWords,
- the reading list at Anita Heiss’s blog,
- the helpful list at Christchurch City Library or
- Yvonne Perkins list of histories and biographies.
Ultimately, what I would really like would be for Indigenous Literature Week to be picked up and taken over by an indigenous blogger, that’s my long-term goal. With this first Indigenous Literature Week I’ve just used whatever clout I’ve got, to get it started so that non-indigenous readers participate and get to know the wealth of great writing out there. I am hopeful that eventually I will be able to co-host this with another site, and then, in time, withdraw, when Indigenous Literature Week is an established part of the reading calendar for all of us.
It has been a rewarding week for all of us who participated, I know.
Thanks again, everyone!
ANZ LitLovers LitBlog 
Great initiative Lisa … and I love that you have a longterm goal. I’m sorry that I only read one book in the end but at least it was one. Swallow the air is still on my pile. (It’s your fault – I won that giveaway and it took precedence!) I was thinking about a post on indigenous poets poets but don’t know enough and ran out of research and thinking time. Might still do it some time.
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By: whisperinggums on July 9, 2012
at 9:59 am
Thanks, Sue …I like that idea about a post on indigenous poetry. (I like all your posts about poetry). Have you got a copy of the Anita Heiss Anthology? That includes poetry. The AustLit database BlackWords might help too?
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By: Lisa Hill on July 9, 2012
at 10:05 am
Thanks Lisa … yes I have the Anita Heiss, and I did find a couple of good things on the web. Will check out the AusLit one …
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By: whisperinggums on July 9, 2012
at 10:33 am
Thanks Lisa, great resource. I have a list of children’s literature over on my web page if that is suitable? Please feel free to email me if you would like the link.
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By: Emma @ My Book Corner on July 9, 2012
at 11:01 am
Yes, please, Emma, that would be great, just post it on the reviews page as before and I’ll add it from there – thanks!
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By: Lisa Hill on July 9, 2012
at 3:48 pm
just posted mine sorry it was a day late ,all the best stu
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By: winstonsdad on July 10, 2012
at 4:49 am
I’m sorry I didn’t get a a chance to participate , next time perhaps!
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By: shelleyrae @ Book'd Out on July 10, 2012
at 12:25 pm
I have loved becoming a fan of magabala books-have spent a fortune purchasing their books-novels to picture story books-am so ingrained in ” waiting at the gate” a most moving story with such a positive outcome-(I only know this because I have joined the authors fb page and she inspires me daily)-thank you Lisa for opening my eyes a bit more! I thought I had a wealth of knowledge on all things indigenous-most of my knowledge is Victorian based!!
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By: Debbie Walters on July 12, 2012
at 11:16 pm
Great to hear from you, Deb. Wait till I show you Magabala’s ‘My Home Broome’ when we get back to work, you will love reading it to the kids…
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By: Lisa Hill on July 13, 2012
at 12:21 am
Lisa,
Thanks for this important project. We need more groups like this one if we are ever going to learn about each other. I am just sorry that I dropped out in July when health problems interfered.
I am glad you are planning on repeating and like your plans for co-hosting with an Indigenous person. But I think people like you and me have a place in educating readers who are not Indigenous. A way of using our privilege to publicize them. I also know African American women who are dead set against trying to teach whites; they don’t need the inevitable, unthinking, unkind remarks from them.
Currently I am finishing three reviews I started in June about the problems and possibilities of writing about British Indigenous first contact; Grenville, Scott, and Clendinnen. Only one is Indigenous, as you know. I couldn’t have added my discussion to your project, but you had me thinking. More on who is Indigenous later.
Again thanks and keep up the good work.
Marilyn
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By: mdbrady on August 1, 2012
at 8:22 am
Thank you, Marilyn, I appreciate your generous remarks.
I’ll be very interested to see your post about the problems and possibiliites: there is a bigger picture to all of this and I think it’s worth reflecting on it.
Lisa :)
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By: Lisa Hill on August 1, 2012
at 6:20 pm