Anita Heiss's Blog, page 14
August 3, 2018
Why I love libraries. Why we need to respect authors. And why you should read Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia
On August 1, by invitation I spoke at a Copyright Agency event as part of the Australia Pacific Library and Information Conference on the Gold Coast. I spoke about my passion for libraries, about the need to respect the work of authors via copyright, and my latest project Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia. Here are my notes from that event…
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I love libraries. I know that’s not an extraordinary thing to say as an author– of course authors love libraries; they’re a keeping place for our books, libraries are venues for us to meet our readers and librarians spruik our work to their communities. But libraries are more than that to me. They are modern day, man-made sacred sites to me – I feel at peace in libraries, I feel at home, I feel cocooned by the words of writers who want to change the world through literature, just like I do. I think libraries should be respected, valued and acknowledged more for the cultural institutions they are and what they provide to community members.
And of course, I love libraries because they are places where I go to write.
I wrote Not Meeting Mr Right and Avoiding Mr Right in my local, the Bowen Library, Maroubra. I remember thinking at the time how much libraries had changed from the quiet place they once were, to one of energy and sharing – students doing projects together, people being tutored in languages I didn’t understand, kids having story time with toys to be borrowed.
To be honest, I didn’t really appreciate the new noisier space when I was trying to write the great Australian novel. I actually complained once or twice until I found I could book a quiet room for two hours at a time, and I could even take a coffee and some raisin toast in with me. People could eat in libraries – what next? I thought.
I loved working in that space. There were days when I had tears rolling down my cheeks laughing at my own jokes on the pages of Avoiding Mr Right about Peta Tully who would astral travel of a night having sexual encounters in her sleep along the way, while filling the important role of DG of DOMSARIA of a day time. DOMSARIA was the Dept of Media, Sports, Arts, Refugees and Indigenous Affairs. I wonder what people thought looking into the fish bowl as I wrote and entertained myself. Or if they even noticed me at all.
I worked on the edits of my novel Tiddas in the writer’s room inside the QWC at the State Library of QLD. I sat in kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre and wrote thousands of words for my novel Our Race for Reconciliation. And I spent a lot of time going through microfiche and writing notes in Cowra library for Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms. I then took that research and those notes and wrote 20,000 words in libraries (and cafes) in Barcelona – as you do.
I was role modelling in a remote community a few years ago and of a night we would all sit around and talk – there was no phone or internet coverage. We went around the group and said what we wanted to be in our next lives. People were shocked that I said I wanted to be a librarian. But all the librarians I’d ever met were happy! It was only a few weeks after a conference with teacher librarians that I left academia. And although I’m not a librarian now, I spend a lot of time in libraries, and I am happier for it. J
I’m on the board of the State Library of QLD and it is an inspiring role to have, and an amazing place to be. I know this isn’t the place to say which library is the best is the country – however…
I’ve done a lot of author talks in libraries and the daytime events are particularly interesting to me. I’ve realised through those events that when I retire I want to just spend my mornings in the library, listening to the visiting author, having a cup of tea and a big piece of madeira cake.
Respect Creators
Libraries to me are like the writer’s heaven – one where we feel at home, safe, protected, valued. And so I’m really looking forward to the digital innovation (Flex) that the Copyright Agency is introducing because it will help ensure fair payments to authors. We need to be valued in actually currency as well.
When people don’t pay to use the work of writers, or what I like to call cultural creators, that punishes us and disrespects the work we do. The question I am always asking people is: when was the last time you went to work and didn’t get paid? I’d like to hear of a new movement of consumers – let’s call them “The Respecters”. If we think about pirating movies, a respector would pay for what they watch, because, particularly in cases like Game of Thrones, they know exactly what they’re getting. Great quality, expensive television with compelling story-telling, a well written script, amazing acting, extraordinary digital effects – a journey to another world – escape.
It’s no different to paying the creators of Australian literature. I’m sure you know that.
If you are already a Respecter, which I’m sure everyone in this room is, then I want to say Mandaang guwu – that’s Wiradjuri for thank you.
Finally, here’s a novel idea from a novelist.
When people shirk at paying writers I suggest they try to write a poem themselves, or a novel, or a community history – that they should spend the time trying to be the creator. They should try sitting in front of a blankscreen for a change and then maybe they’ll come to see that it isn’t easy to create even average material – and it’s a hell of a lot harder to create the really significant works that challenge, transform, entertain, engage and move their readers to think, to act, and even, to read more.
Why you should read Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia
Which leads me to a work that I think does all of that. Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which is an anthology of over 52 life stories written by people from remote communities, cities, and boarding schools and even from inside prison; and from schoolchildren, university students and grandparents. The anthology includes recollections of growing up Aboriginal in Australia by educators, journalists, academics and activists.
This collection mirrors the society that Aboriginal people live in and engage with every day, so there are motivational and uplifting stories alongside those on suicide; words on feminism and sexuality, as well as football and theatre. Role models and religion and road trips. We are diverse peoples and that’s exactly what growing up Aboriginal means today in Australia.
The authors in my opinion were very generous and courageous in baring their personal and family histories, their pain and heartache, their experiences of racism so that others can learn about what it means to grow up as a First Nations person in a country where they are often viewed and treated as second-class citizens, and sometimes even worse than that.
From Nukunu to Noongar, Wiradjuri to Western Arrernte, Gunditjamara to Gumbaynggirr and many places in between, their experiences will speak to the heart – sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect.
Anthologies provide a platform for many voices as opposed to just one, and in this case, while it highlights similarities, it also showcases the diversity of our experiences, the diversity of our voices, and our current situations.
As I mentioned there are 52 different contributors – over 50% are female, the youngest is 13 years old, the eldest in her 70s.
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia demonstrates that we are resilient. We are generous in sharing some very difficult and personal stories. That we want others to understand our lives and lifestyles. That we are a community of people with strong family and community values. That we are strong in identity, and we are proud.
I have received many tweets, and Instagram tags saying that this is should be mandatory reading, of course I agree with that. But let’s be real and know that that’s not going to happen. So, while I’m here in the home of the ‘happy people’ can we agree that it should at least be in every library, and most definitely every university library, in Australia?
Mandaang guwu, thank you.
July 25, 2018
July 4: Happiness is time with my cuz, Joe Williams
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It’s been a few years since my cousin Joe Williams and I had some quality time together. And so I was really looking forward to our trip to Townsville today to celebrate NAIDOC Week with students and staff from the local Catholic Education Office.
Before the plane even took off the fun began. Joe has a fabulous sense of humour, which sits well alongside his important work in suicide prevention. The ability to laugh in times of adversity is incredibly important.
My happiness was just being near this crazy dude and catching up.
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NOTE: We didn’t actually sit next to each other on the plane because two Williams’ in the same row might just have been too much for any airline to cope with!
July 23, 2018
July 3: Happiness is sharing knowledge at Bennelong Point & the Sydney Opera House
It’s no secret that Bennelong Point is one of my favourite places to be; to meet friends, to gather for important reasons, and today, to speak at the NSW Department of Education, Aboriginal Education Conference at the Sydney Opera House.
Bennelong Point is the original gathering place of the 29 Aboriginal clans of Sydney. It’s where the first recorded corroboree was held back in 1790. And it’s no a place where people from around to world meet to celebrate culture in a different format – dance, theatre, opera, food, and so on.
I was thrilled when I was first invited to deliver the keynote address to educators as part of the conference and to celebrate NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme: #BecauseOfHerWeCan was the perfect platform to talk about the women writers who pioneered the way, who opened the doors of publishing and the minds of Australian readers and made it possible for me to have a voice today. Writers like Oodgeroo Noonuccal and Ruby Langford Ginibi who broke new ground in the 1960s and 1980s.
Today, I was happy to be able to share my journey with an audience keen to learn ways of embedding Indigenous perspectives in the classroom using literature written by Aboriginal women.
They say it’s not work if you love what you do. And while I had to prepare the keynote and get up at 5am to get a flight to Sydney, to present, it didn’t feel like work at all. Today I loved my job and the opportunity to present at one of the world’s most iconic venues.
July 2: Happiness is watching reruns of Frasier
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I spent the afternoon recovering from yesterday’s marathon on the couch watching telly with my laptop, well, on my lap. I’m not up with all the latest shows on TV. I don’t have NETFLIX or any other paid TV either. Yes, some might think I am a dag, but truth is I love watching the old shows, like Frasier. It makes me smile. I think it’s well written and acted. And I love the dynamics between the family members, including the dog Eddy! And yes, I prefer shows with humour and without violence.
But am I the only one who enjoys watching reruns of Frasier? Surely not!
July 22, 2018
July 1: Happiness is completing the Gold Coast Marathon
Well, I woke in the dark feeling confident. Feeling like I had enough power and kms in my legs after months of training I felt ready to take on my third marathon in under 12 months and I was going to smash it.
I headed to the start line with my friend Kate (who was running her first marathon) and thousands of other runners, and I wasn’t nervous like I had been previously. I was excited and ready to better my previous time. Or so I hoped…
Then we were off and running and very soon I could feel my legs struggling in a way they hadn’t during training. My long runs in the weeks gone by were smooth, almost pain free. And my pace was impressive by my own standards. But not today. Today my legs felt like they were full of lead. And the humidity was debilitating. Runners were walking, and bodies were resting on the side of the road. I wanted to rest too.
I’m going to cut the five hour long, hot run to a shorter story for you…
I FINISHED! The clock came in at 5hr 1min (even though the 5hr pacer came in some time after me). It was a PB (knocked 18 mins if the New York Marathon) and for that I am proud.
I crossed the line to a hug from Robert de Castella (pictured above) and photo with Kate who was literally right behind me. Tears followed. Then some more tears, and then it was time to celebrate with Mandi and the Queanbeyan Deadly Runners who were already in recovering mode post their 21.1km runs.
The months of training had come to an end and all I had to show for it was my medal and sore muscles. The best part? I’m always fascinated at what our bodies can do when we push ourselves.
Finally, I will say it again and this time I mean it… while the sense of achievement is extraordinary, and the medal is bling you can’t buy, I am NEVER doing another marathon. Can someone please remind me of that next time I even mumble I might possibly do one? Thank you!
July 20, 2018
June 30: Happiness is visiting a marathon expo!
There’s nothing like the energy of a marathon expo – runners, supporters, trainers, idols and exhibitors with all the gear most of us should already have, but sometimes don’t. I was anxious until Mandi and I finally pulled into the Gold Coast Convention Centre carpark and I picked up my race bib. And then, I relaxed.
We did a quick scan of the space, checking in to say hello to the crew at the Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) booth before I met the newest IMP squad for a yarn at lunch.
This is going to be my third marathon and so I’m not as nervous as I was the previous two (Outback Marathon and the New York Marathon) because I know I can finish. I know I have trained and my legs are strong enough to carry me the length of the course. All I needed to do today was not walk too much, and get enough rest and carbs in. And I did both. Can’t wait for dawn to crack and to run with thousands of others all with their own personal goals.
Happiness is getting to the start in the first place. Finishing is euphoric!
June 29: Happiness is a friend who is always there for you
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This is my friend Mandi – I’ve written about her before many times. Mandi talks more than I do (although she will argue this), and she is an amazing woman. Today Mandi flew into Brisbane to be my support person for the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday.
So, we shopped, we talked, we napped, we talked, we ate, we talked, we laughed, we talked, we made plans, we talked. It was a long day and we covered a lot of ground. It was a fantastic way to detach myself from thinking about having to run 42.2km on the weekend.
Mandi’s friendship makes me happy. And I am always grateful.
June 28: Happiness is sleeping in my own bed
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It’s a much used phrase but it is so true: “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!’ I think of these words every time I walk in my front door after being the road.
Don’t get me wrong – five nights in the Wagga Wagga Beach Caravan Park was fine! My cabin was on the river, there was plenty of space and the heating worked. But there is nothing like waking up in my own suburban bed.
Tonight my happiness was found by crawling into bed – just me, my four pillows and two sequins cushions. See, I’m very easily pleased!
June 27: Happiness is sharing my journey with deadly people
As I said farewell to my classmates today I was grateful that I am sharing this new cultural journey with these amazing people. Pictured above are Aunty Gail, Rebecca and Uncle Pat. They make the difficult task of learning complex things so much more enjoyable. And my general sense of happiness while studying is certainly due to their support also.
July 19, 2018
June 26: Happiness is the support of an Aunty
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This is Aunty Enid. She’s in my Wiradjuri language course at CSU. I am so grateful to her for support in the classroom, her generosity of spirit in sharing her knowledge and wisdom, and her wonderfully positive energy.
Today my happiness shows in my smile.
