OUR WORDS

Aligning with OUR MOB and OUR STORIES as a celebration of First Nations cultures, Country and community, OUR WORDS showcases some of Australia's most exciting and innovative First Nations writers, creatives and poets for a series of panels and conversations.

OUR WORDS 2023 focuses on the published word. We'll hear from a diverse line up of First Nations writers about the importance of having their work published and celebrate this modern tool of preservation.

OUR WORDS 2023 program

8th September 2023, Adelaide City Library

6pm | The Art of Arts Writing

This panel conversation on the Art of Arts Writing will explore creative process, critique, review, and response where literature and art intersect. With panellists, Tristen Harwood (Ngalakgan) and Jessica Clark (palawa/pallawah).

Presented as part of Tarnanthi 2023.

9th September 2023, Banquet Room, Festival Theatre

11am | In Conversation with Gary Lonesborough

Gary Lonesborough (Yuin), author of The Boy from the Mish will be joined in conversation with Shania Richards (Wongutha, Mirning, Bulang, Ndaju, Wirengu, Noongar, Barngarla) about his newly released follow up novel, We Didn’t Think It Through. 

1pm | Open Field – Writing from the Fringes of Fiction 

The popularity and publishing presence of Aboriginal genre writing is growing rapidly. Join Karen Wyld (Martu), Melanie Saward (Wakka Wakka, Bigambul) and Brenton E McKenna (Yawuru) talking with Dominic Guerrera (Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna) about their work and how First Peoples' perspectives are shaping our literary landscapes.  

2:45pm | In Conversation with Mykaela Saunders

Mykaela Saunders (Dharug) yarns with Deb Edwards (Yankunytjatjara) about her writing and groundbreaking anthology This All Come Back Now.