Post-colonial Literature for Children EDU32PLC Week 5 - Lecture 10 Voices in Australian literature: European voice or Aboriginal voice? Either or neither or both? © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2006
References Foster, J., Finnis, E.J. and Nimon, M. (1995) Aboriginal Australia: a century of attitudinal change. in Australian Children’s Literature: an exploration of genre and theme. Wagga: CIS, Charles Sturt University
European or Aboriginal? Either or neither or both? Ernie dances to the didgeridoo, My Place, Going for Kalta, The Papunya School Book of Country and History, Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu European? Aboriginal? Multicultural? Australian? Consider the representation of the various groups. How are they: Identified? Differentiated?
Ernie dances to the didgeridoo
Part of a larger series about children : Celeste sails to Spain, Clive eats alligators, Rosie sips spiders, Tessa snaps snakes, When Frank was four – published 2001 Structured as an informative sequence Begins from the European as the familiar Does not label any group Maintains the positive younger reader/childhood approach by emphasising identifiable activities Introduces new details as an extension of the familiar
My Place One off production for Bicentennial in 1788 Structured as an informative sequence Begins from the European and works back – colonial/imperial centring of culture Labels each group in context Maintains the positive younger reader/childhood approach by emphasising identifiable activities Introduces new details as an extension of the familiar
My Place
Going for kalta Prize winner – BotY Information 1999 Emphasises traditional Aboriginal values over European sensibilities Direct conversational voice European structure
Going for kalta
The Papunya School book of country and history Prize winner BotY Information 2002 Serves definite political purpose Clear Aboriginal voice and style in storytelling and visuals Integration of Aboriginal and European expressions of history, geography, society etc. Emphasis on cultural and physical interactions and re-establishment of identity
The Papunya School book of country and history
Walking with the seasons in Kakadu Published 2003 Collaborative creation – European writer with Aboriginal artist European style and format – text and illustrations
Walking with the seasons in Kakadu
In conclusion … Key elements in presentation and representation: Honesty and integrity Recognition of past Hope for the future Acceptance of difference Consultation