AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'It is estimated now that nearly five thousand Aboriginal authors have been published in Australia since the cultural impact of colonisation occurred. However this seems rare or vague knowledge to the outskirts of Australian literature. It seems this contribution by Aboriginal writers is somewhat limited to access or obtain for the general public who enjoy a good read, or seek an historical view point...' (Source: Cobby Eckermann Ali, and Fogarty Lionel, Southerly Vol. 71 No. 2 2011:8-11)
Notes
-
Editor's note:
These are the writings from a handful of Aboriginal writers, who belong
to a proud and beautiful culture. All have been written with honesty.
As within all societies there are elements of challenge and concern.
As editors we believe that is the key and reason of life, for all humans.
It would be a great further outcome of this edition, for the wider
reading audience to gain more insight of Aboriginal Australia today.
The writers featured here, of all ages, articulate clearly their hopes and
dreams, and the stumbling blocks that life presents. As Aboriginal
people we are well aware of the troubles in our society, and the
traumas inflicted from past Governmental policy.
As Aboriginal writers we are very concerned about the literacy rates
within our families. There are no books, newspapers or magazines sold in
outback stores. We will hope that some editions of A Handful of Sand
make it back to the remote communities and outstations.
As an essential part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response
Intervention signs concerning the prohibition of alcohol and
pornography have now been erected along some of the best landscapes
available in the Northern Territory. We are thrilled the Aust Govt has
spent thousands of dollars to promote literature (however absurd)
in all NT remote areas.
After all, it will mostly be Aboriginal children who will grow up reading
these signs on their doorstep. -
Contents indexed selectively.
-
Epigraph:
the pen is mightier than the sword
but the finger in the sand is mightier than that
in its own way
Aunty Ruby Langford Ginibi
(1934-2011)
RIP -
Editor's note:
We have been notified of a number of errors and omissions in Southerly 71.2 A Handful of Sand. Please find the corrections below and accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience.
Kerry Reed-Gilbert’s name is misspelled on pages 5, 24 and 245.
See Long Paddock http://southerlyjournal.com.au/project/a-handful-of-sand-words-to-the-frontline-2/
Contents
- Editorial, single work essay (p. 8-11)
- I Am Herei"YOU call me the nowhere people", single work poetry (p. 12-13)
- Rearranging the Dead Cat, single work essay (p. 14-23)
- Miss Goody Two Shoesi"Your voice spoken", single work poetry (p. 24)
- Media Release : Statement on Eatock vs HWT, single work criticism (p. 25-26)
- The Bolt Case : A Refresher Snapshot, single work criticism (p. 27-28)
- Snake Childreni"White women say that", single work poetry (p. 29-30)
- Black Silk, single work short story (p. 31-44)
- Window, Jimmy Fejo (composer), single work lyric/song (p. 45)
- Reality of a Murri Dreaming Worldi"mean not fasting for a", single work poetry (p. 46-47)
- Our Elderly Ladiesi"Sitting under a bough shed", single work poetry (p. 48)
- The Cremationi"A beat of a drum, the tap of a stick,", single work poetry (p. 49)
- Remembering Fabienne, Literary Goddess, single work prose (p. 50-54)
- My Friendi"If I could look inside my mind", single work poetry (p. 55)
- After Dreaming - AD 1910i"She'll work to advance Australia fair getting fairer", single work poetry (p. 56)
- Koori Girl Goes Shoppini"We're all the same under the skin dear", single work poetry (p. 57)
- White Picket Fencei"don't border protect me advance australia fair me cultural cliche me", single work poetry (p. 62)
-
NAIDOC 2011,
single work
short story
'My Aboriginality or at least a search for my Aboriginality has occupied the last twenty-seven years of my life since first becoming reunited with my Aboriginal family as a fifteen-year-old. . . and not for the first time as I walk through a mass of people gathered to celebrate the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) at Musgrave Park in Brisbane I once again find myself reflecting deeply on the foundations of my very identity as ideas continue to change from within, around and underneath me...' (Source: Abstract)
- Purple Manaji Flowersi"Be safe, make right decision", single work poetry (p. 68-69)
- Pay Back Alley, single work short story (p. 70-72)
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.
-
Safe Harbours for Literary Adventures
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 2-3 June 2012; (p. 20-21)
— Review of Griffith Review no. 35 Autumn 2012 periodical issue ; Meanjin vol. 71 no. 1 Autumn 2012 periodical issue ; Southerly vol. 71 no. 2 2011 periodical issue -
A Literature That Refuses to Go Missing
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Overland [Online] , February 2012;
— Review of Southerly vol. 71 no. 2 2011 periodical issue'Aboriginal people are far more written about than heard, more often the subject of journalistic, medical, sociological, anthropological, and fictional narratives than the author...'
-
Safe Harbours for Literary Adventures
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 2-3 June 2012; (p. 20-21)
— Review of Griffith Review no. 35 Autumn 2012 periodical issue ; Meanjin vol. 71 no. 1 Autumn 2012 periodical issue ; Southerly vol. 71 no. 2 2011 periodical issue -
A Literature That Refuses to Go Missing
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Overland [Online] , February 2012;
— Review of Southerly vol. 71 no. 2 2011 periodical issue'Aboriginal people are far more written about than heard, more often the subject of journalistic, medical, sociological, anthropological, and fictional narratives than the author...'
-
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.