Five Essential Books by Indigenous Australian Authors for National Reconciliation Week
For National Reconciliation Week, a curated list highlights five books by First Nations Australian authors that showcase the depth of Indigenous storytelling. Jazz Money's "Mark the Dawn" offers Blak, queer campfire poetry. Evelyn Araluen's "The Rot" follows her acclaimed "Dropbear" and was shortlisted for the 2026 Stella Prize. Melissa Lucashenko's "Too Much Lip" won the 2019 Miles Franklin Award. Ellen van Neerven's "Throat" is a powerful poetry collection; their latest YA novel is "Ruby's Web." Tara June Winch's "The Yield" won the 2020 Miles Franklin Award. The list emphasizes the enduring tradition of storytelling spanning over 60,000 years.
Key facts
- National Reconciliation Week is the occasion for the book list.
- Jazz Money is a Wiradjuri artist and poet.
- Evelyn Araluen is a Goorie and Koori poet, editor, and researcher.
- Melissa Lucashenko is a Goorie writer who won the 2019 Miles Franklin Award.
- Ellen van Neerven is a Mununjali Yugambeh writer.
- Tara June Winch is a Wiradjuri writer who won the 2020 Miles Franklin Award.
- The Yield is a novel about family tragedy and environmental destruction.
- The list includes poetry, novels, and children's books.
Entities
Artists
- Jazz Money
- Evelyn Araluen
- Melissa Lucashenko
- Ellen van Neerven
- Tara June Winch
Institutions
- Abbey's Bookshop
- Sun Bookshop
- Kinokuniya Sydney
- Penguin Books Australia
Locations
- Australia