First Nations Books to Highlight Male Role Models, plus Father's Day Gift Ideas
In today’s blog, we share our top resources for sharing First Nations perspectives this Father’s Day, both in the classroom or at home; with a focus on books which explore male role models, plus don’t forget to check out below for a downloadable Father’s Day card!
Bidhi Galing - Powerful and moving, Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) celebrates the Wiradyuri heroes of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852, told through the eyes of a young girl who is rescued from the raging floodwaters by her father.
Crabbing With Dad - Aimed at a younger audience, children will love reading about the adventures of two small children as they go out in the boat with Dad to set crab pots in their secret spot.
This Book Thinks Ya Deadly - Written by Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists, this book features the profiles of 80 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism and science, through to politics, education and literature. It showcases the careers and Corey’s personal stories of First Nations People who have done great things in their respective fields.
Family - Family is a thoughtful contemplation for all to learn the different ways that family makes us whole. This beautifully illustrated children’s picture book shows everyone that ‘family’ can be about heart and home; an endless sky; stories and songs.
Ceremony - Joyful and full of fun, Ceremony invites you to celebrate the rich traditions of dance, family, community and caring for Country from the world's oldest continuous culture.
The Shack that Dad Built - When Elaine Russell was five, her dad built the family a shack just outside the Aboriginal mission at La Perouse in Sydney. In The Shack that Dad Built, Elaine illustrates what life was like for an Indigenous kid on the urban fringes.
Gift Idea’s for Dad:
The Long Story - Wayne Long is a proud Murri man, born in St George on the Balonne River, but he is also a child of the Middle Kingdom – his grandfather, Old Billy Long, being part of the Chinese diaspora. Wayne’s story is interwoven with the historical, political and social events that have impacted on inter-racial relations in Australia for more than two hundred years.
Sea Faring - A story told to his uncle by an Indigenous Hawaiian elder would change the shape of Gumbaynggirr/Gamilaroi man Victor Briggs’ life, and send him on a search for answers to the question: were Indigenous Australians master navigators of one of the world’s largest oceans, the South Pacific?
The Wonder of Little Things - In The Wonder of Little Things, Vince tells his story with humour, humility and wisdom. Written with his friend Lea McInerney over many cups of tea, it is an Australian classic in the making, a plain-speaking account of hardship, courage and optimism told without self-pity or big-noting.
Jack Charles - Born Again Blackfella - In this honest and no-holds-barred memoir, Uncle Jack reveals the ups and downs of his life. From his sideline as a cat burglar, battles with drug addiction and stints in prison, to gracing the nation’s stages and screens as he dazzled audiences with his big personality and acting prowess, he takes us through the most formative moments of his life.
Gudyarra - In Gudyarra , Stephen Gapps – award-winning author of The Sydney Wars – unearths what led to this furious and bloody war, beginning with the occupation of Wiradyuri lands by Europeans following Governor Macquarie’s push to expand the colony west over the Blue Mountains to generate wealth from sheep and cattle.
Dear Son - Dear Son shares heartfelt letters written by First Nations men about life, masculinity, love, culture and racism. Along with his own vivid and poignant prose and poetry, author and editor Thomas Mayor invites 12 contributors to write a letter to their son or father, bringing together a range of perspectives that offers the greatest celebration of First Nations manhood.
“Bringing voice to his ancestors and the power of oral storytelling, Victor shares his compelling journey into the past through research, stories and visions.”
We have created a downloadable card for Father’s Day featuring artwork by Bidjara artist Sheri Skele.
We have included two versions, one which says “Dad” and one which says “You”, which can be used for any special person in your child’s life.
