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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'In this collection of contemporary poems for children, thirty-five Aboriginal poets write about what it means to be Aboriginal today. Many of the poems reflect the anger, despair and determination of a people dispossessed of their land and denied justice. Some poets recall the spirituality and culture of their ancestors. Still others look with hope to the future...' (Source: Back cover)
Notes
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Author's note: As compiler of this anthology, I would like to thank and acknowledge the poets who gave from their hearts to express their fears, their joy and their love for our people and our homeland.
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Dedication: I dedicate this book of hope to our ancestors, whose dignity sustained succeeding generations through the trials of early occupation to these days of integration.
I thank the Elders, whose wisdom guides us through crises of identity, so that we can hold on to the past, pass through the present and build a better tomorrow for our children's children.
Contents
- Integrationi"Let these two worlds combine,", single work poetry (p. 1)
- Spiritual Song of the Aboriginei"I am a child of the Dreamtime People", single work poetry (p. 2)
- Mimi Dancersi"From out of the spirit world", single work poetry (p. 2)
- One Land, One Law, One Peoplei"Ngangatja apu wiya, ngayuku tjamu-", single work poetry (p. 4)
- Alonei"Alone in the peace and cool of the evening,", single work poetry (p. 4)
- Biamii"'Mother, what is that one sea,", single work poetry (p. 5)
- Tjukurrpa : Puli Kulpi Kutjarrai"Two boys went out hunting; they went a long way.", Obed Raggett (translator) single work prose Indigenous story (p. 6-7)
- Ulurui"Isolated rock,", single work poetry (p. 8)
- Ngapa-Kurlu The Wateri"Water running past the rocks, small rocks and big rocks.", single work poetry (p. 9)
- Dawn Wail for the Deadi"Dim light of daybreak now", single work poetry (p. 10)
- North Windi"When the north wind's blowing", single work poetry (p. 11)
- The Coorongi"Land of my father's people", single work poetry (p. 12-13)
- Cape Barren Geesei"A flash of light", single work poetry (p. 14)
- Coorongi"Sweet, bitter memories of yester years", single work poetry (p. 15)
- Wilpena Poundi"When I was just a kid", single work poetry (p. 16-17)
- Blackberryingi"Among time's souvenirs lay the days;", single work poetry (p. 18-19)
- Lambing Timei"I was travelling alone on a train one day", single work poetry satire (p. 20)
- Quicki"Snake for you, snake for me,", single work poetry (p. 21)
- Ode to Salted Mutton Birdsi"Mutton birds! I like em", single work poetry (p. 21)
- Chinee Chorei"Chinee chore, chinee chore* up in the tree", single work poetry (p. 22)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Indigenous Stories Told Collectively
BlackWords : Indigenous Stories Told Collectively
2015
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 5) The BlackWords Essays 2019;In this essay Heiss discusses and explains the important role of anthologies in the creation of communities of writers and in acknowledging, consolidating and launching writing careers.
-
Untitled
1994
single work
review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 9 no. 2 1994; (p. 38)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry -
The Books From '93
1994
single work
column
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 9 no. 1 1994; (p. 17-19) Alf Mappin looks at some of the Australian children's books published in 1993. Most are only referred to in passing. -
Untitled
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 37 no. 4 1993; (p. 30)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry -
Aboriginal Poems not Just for Kids
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 August 1993; (p. C9)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry
-
Untitled
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 37 no. 4 1993; (p. 30)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry -
Untitled
1994
single work
review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 9 no. 2 1994; (p. 38)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry -
Aboriginal Poems not Just for Kids
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 August 1993; (p. C9)
— Review of Spirit Song : A Collection of Aboriginal Poetry 1993 anthology poetry -
The Books From '93
1994
single work
column
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 9 no. 1 1994; (p. 17-19) Alf Mappin looks at some of the Australian children's books published in 1993. Most are only referred to in passing. -
Indigenous Stories Told Collectively
BlackWords : Indigenous Stories Told Collectively
2015
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 5) The BlackWords Essays 2019;In this essay Heiss discusses and explains the important role of anthologies in the creation of communities of writers and in acknowledging, consolidating and launching writing careers.