This is part of a series of posts that
answers questions I’m often asked about what can be done to support Indigenous
books (by which I mean, books written or co-written by Indigenous people).
1.
Invite Indigenous authors.
Ideally, invite more than one (and invite other authors from other diverse
backgrounds too). One of the reasons there is a lack of awareness of the sheer
range and complexity of the Indigenous experience is that there is rarely more
than one Indigenous writer or illustrator present at any given festival or
conference. So does your festival represent the reality of a diverse Australia
with a rich and ancient Indigenous history and culture?
2.
Is your festival/conference/event a culturally safe space? There
are a number of ingredients that go into creating a space where everyone’s
identity is acknowledged and respected
– but here are some things to think about:
a.
Have a Welcome to Country
and/or acknowledgement of Country – and for the difference between the two, see
the Reconciliation
Australia factsheet.
b.
Designate a contact person who
can provide support if any of your authors experience instances of
discrimination at your festival.
c.
Communicate the value your
event places on cultural safety to all participants and attendees – and communicate
why it matters. The provision of a place where all voices can be heard is not
some version of political correctness; it is a matter of basic fairness in
which all peoples have an interest, and especially those with an interest in
books. Because if you can’t hear the voices, you can’t hear the stories.
d.
Think about your location. One
of the legacies of colonial history is that Indigenous experience of
colonialism tend to be far less well known that those of non-Indigenous people.
This means organisers can sometimes hold events in places that mean they are
unlikely to get many Indigenous participants or attendees, because the
geographic location is a place of unresolved trauma.
3.
Acknowledge Indigenous peoples
as the most expert sources of our own cultures and experiences, just as others
from diverse backgrounds are the most expert sources of their own cultures and
experiences. Reverse the operation of privilege by giving space to the insider
voices and the insider stories – and enrich your program with the stories of
those for whom the cultures, histories and ongoing struggles with
discrimination are lived realities.
4.
Establish a dialogue with presenters
before the program is finalised. It can be easy for a program organiser to
unconsciously make assumptions about what Indigenous stories are, how they
should be talked about and what Indigenous people wish to speak to (and the
same is true of assumptions about authors from other diverse backgrounds). Are
there issues that a presenter would particularly like to address? Is the title
and topic of the session or panel culturally appropriate?
5.
Moderators matter. It is no
easy task to be the moderator of a panel – and it is a more difficult task when
dealing with sensitive issues or cultural histories. Moderators already work
hard, but anyone moderating a panel dealing with sensitive issues has to be
willing to work even harder to prepare for their session.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.