BECAUSE OF HER, WE CAN - highlighting the poetry of Australian First Nations women
We're celebrating NAIDOC week by sharing poetry from some of the amazing First Nations women that we've been privileged to work with over the years.
We recommend starting with the Red Room commissioned poems below and then seeking out their other published works and events.
Evelyn
Araluen Corr
Evelyn Araluen Corr is a PhD candidate and educator working with Indigenous Literatures at the University of Sydney. She is a founding member of Students Support Aboriginal Communities, a NSW ...
Ali
Cobby Eckermann
Ali Cobby Eckermann’s first collection little bit long time was written in the desert and launched her literary career in 2009. Her works have been published in various languages ...
Stiff
Gins
Stiff Gins are one of Australia’s best known and most loved Indigenous acts. Featuring Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, Stiff Gins combines stunning harmonies and wicked humor to transport ...
Yvette
Holt
National multi-award winning poet, academic, comedienne – Yvette Henry Holt heralds from the Yiman, Wakaman and Bidjara Nations’ of Queensland. A Human Rights Award Recipient...
Jeanine
Leane
Jeanine Leane is a Wiradjuri writer, poet and academic from southwest New South Wales. Her first volume of poetry, Dark Secrets After Dreaming: A.D. 1887-1961 (2010, Presspress) won the ...
Carissa
Lee
Godwin
Carissa is a Wemba-Wemba actor, writer and academic. Since concluding her role as the ATSI Writers Program Coordinator at the SA Writers Centre, Carissa has become ...
Lorna
Munro
Lorna Munro is a proud, young Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi woman. This dynamic and upcoming writer and poet calls the Redfern/Waterloo area home. She has been strongly influenced and nurtured by ...
Maureen
O'Keefe
Maureen O'Keefe is a Warlpiri woman who was born and raised in Ali-Curung, 170km south-east of Tennant Creek. Maureen is a respected writer and poet who began by ...
Celestine
Rowe
Celestine Delvene Rowe is a Central Australian poet currently living in Adelaide. A bit political, never shy on stage, rise to the challange, speaking the truth, telling the story ...
Brenda
Saunders
Brenda is a Sydney poet and artist of Aboriginal and British descent. She has published three collections of poetry and her work has appeared in major anthologies and journals...
Kirli
Saunders
Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai woman with ties to the Yuin, Gundungurra, Gadigal and Biripi people. Kirli is the Manager of Poetic Learning and First Nations ...
Lyndsay
Urquhart
Lyndsay is a Koori woman, who grew up in the Dharawal community of Western Sydney. Lyndsay is now based in the City of Gadigal land, and works as the Curator ...
Lyndsay's poem for Poetry in First Languages is coming soon...
Ellen
van Neerven
Ellen van Neerven is an award-winning Indigenous Australian writer and young Yugambeh woman. Her first book, Heat and Light (UQP, 2014), was the recipient of the David Unaipon Award ...