Always was, always will be 🧡

Hi, friends

In this week's newsletter, we're taking a moment to celebrate and acknowledge NAIDOC Week in Australia. Postponed from July to November due to the ever-present and persistent COVID-19, NAIDOC Week is a chance to recognise, learn from and honour Australia's First Nations peoples, their history and connection to land and sea.

'Always was, always will be' is the theme for NAIDOC Week 2020, and is an apt reminder that the country we call Australia was stolen from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the oldest living culture in the world, who have occupied and watched over the land for over 65,000 years.

Here you will find resources that detail the history of Australia, provide support to First Nations peoples and celebrate their storied and diverse culture.

Always was, always will be. Black Lives Matter.

Much love,

Lilith and Arabella

L+A xx

A warning for any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: Some links below include the names and images of Indigenous people who have passed away.

What to read

Aboriginal Australian writer Tara June Winch, whose novel

The Yield we've discussed time and time again, shared with The Foreword her selection of must-read tomes by First Nations authors to pick up next.

Throat by Ellen Van Neerven: “This poetry collection is something else, it is boundary blurring, box-smashing observation served with the play and skill of our most sensitive, intuitive young voice.”

Talkin' Up to the White Woman: Indigenous Women and Feminism by Aileen Moreton-Robinson: “A classic, out this year as a 20th Anniversary Edition, and never out of print—an examination of how White Feminism excluded Indigenous Women in the conversation. It’s as timely as it every was.”

Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia by Victor Steffensen: “We’re coming into fire season again, and this book explains how we can manage our relationship with fire and an unforgiving landscape, learning to read Country to understand cultural burning for land care and healing.”

Living on Stolen Land by Ambelin Kwaymullina: “This book is more spiritual/ political/ religious and life text, yet it is poetry too. It’s a call to arms and a wailing for the heart. Read it and weep.”

Finding the Heart of the Nation by Thomas Mayor: “Mayor travelled around the country to talk about The Uluru Statement from the Heart, a petition for a representative voice enshrined in the Australian Constitutional. These stories, and twenty interviews, help the world understand our plight. Essential reading.”

Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music by Archie Roach: “I grew up listening to Archie as a kid, so this one is very special to me. I think one should get a cuppa, listen to his album Charcoal Lane and then crack this autobiography—the storytelling is first class, and the story is one of a kind, deeper than we’ll ever be able to understand and a beauty of an object.”

Artists to support

Kimberly Engwicht: Kim is the talented illustrator behind K-Rae

Designs. Shop her range of prints, diaries, greeting cards and tees and read our interview with her over on our Instagram.

Otis Hope Carey: Gumbaynggirr / Bundjalung contemporary artist and surfer Otis Hope Carey refers to his art as a form of meditation and “spiritual medicine” for himself, and we think there might be something joyful for you to find in his output.

T’keyah Ware and Kelly Taylor: this mother-daughter duo from South Australia work together to produce vivid works that aim to share their heritage with the world.

Charlotte Allingham: Wiradjuri / Ngiyampaa woman Charlotte Allingham is a creator who zeroes in on the subjects of colonisation, body positivity and “Blak strength and power”.

For more on how and where to ethically buy First Nations art across Australia, save this resource.

Who to follow

Blak Business: A platform dedicated to shining a light on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander creators, voices and history.

Australian Indigenous Fashion: Think of this platform as your go-to for learning about and discovering new names and voices of the Indigenous fashion community.

Trading Blak: This collective of Aboriginal businesses aim to increase visibility and support of First Nation-owned businesses while examining cultural exploitation, an issue rife within the Australian business landscape.

Common Ground Australia: An important resource for all Australians interested in learning from, listening to and connecting with First Nations people.

We Are The Mainstream: A safe space for all Black, Indigenous and Womxn of Colour to discuss shared experiences and forge a community.

Blackfulla Bookclub: Merinda Dutton and Teela Reid draw together literature, prose and stories of First Nation voices to celebrate their ancestors and history.

Shannan Dodson: Shannan Dodson is a Yawuru woman, communications specialist and advisor for media diversity in Australia.

Brooke Boney: Gamilaroi woman, journalist and reporter Brooke Boney has spoken out against racism on national television and publications.

Amy Thunig: Founder of the Blacademia podcast, "a community of First People concerned with the pursuit of research, education, and scholarship," Amy Thunig is a Gamilaroi woman, academic and writer.

Nakkiah Lui: Writer and actor of ABC's Black Comedy, Nakkiah Lui is a Gamilaroi / Torres Strait playwright, comedian and young leader in the Aboriginal community.

Miranda Tapsell: An award winning stage and screen actress, Miranda Tapsell is a Larrakia woman who has featured in both film and TV, including The Sapphires, Love Child and Top End Wedding.

IndigenousX: An Indigenous media platform focused on creating a world where Indigenous voices matter.

National Indigenous Television: A channel made by, for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

What to experience

Within Australia there are a number of First Nations-owned and operated businesses to support now and beyond NAIDOC Week, especially if you're planning to travel interstate for the foreseeable. For more ideas save this.

ACT

Learn about Ngunawal history and culture
Join a Dhawura Aboriginal Cultural tour and you’ll be accompanied by a Ngunawal guide from whom you will learn about ‘bush foods’ while hearing the stories attached to each of the significant local sites in the Australian capital.

NSW

Take part in traditional Indigenous ceremonies

The Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness – Gulaga Creation Tour, allows visitors a chance to immerse themselves in Yuin Country. The two-day, two-night tour, led by the company’s founder, Dwayne “Naja” Bannon-Harrison, offers the chance to explore the sacred Gulaga Mountain, meet the land’s Traditional Custodians and enjoy local foods, yes, that includes kangaroo.

vic

Take a walk along Aboriginal heritage land

If a visit to Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is on the cards, be sure to take a tour of the ancestral lands of the Eastern Kulin Nation, led by an Indigenous guide on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk.

Causes to support

donate

FreeHer by Sisters Inside: Support the release of Aboriginal women who are imprisoned due to overdue fines (WA).

Maraku Arts: Donate to keep Indigenous-run arts collection Maruku Arts running.

Grandmothers Against Removals: Donate to support the fight against the removal of Aboriginal children.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency: Donate to help NAAJA continue to provide access to justice for Aboriginal Territorians.

National Justice Project: Donate to support NJP in advocating for the development of a fair law and a justice system.

Aboriginal Legal Service: Donate to support ALS in pushing for reform of laws that harm Aboriginal communities.

Bridging the Gap Foundation: Donate to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians’ health and education opportunities and outcomes.

Healing Foundation: Supporting stolen generations, survivors, families and communities.

Black Rainbow: A national advocacy platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI peoples.

Pay The Rent: "Sorry isn't enough" - pay the rent monthly or in a one off donation that goes directly to Aboriginal people as payment for the land forcibly taken from them.

Deadly Connections: working to break intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and harm.

Children’s Ground: An organisation led by Aboriginal communities for the future of indigenous children.

The Bail Project: A not-for-profit to prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the U.S. bail system.

Reclaim the Block: A Minneapolis organisation driving community-led safety initiatives to reduce reliance on police departments.