"The Welcome to Country Handbook" by Marcia Langton is a great introduction to Australia's First Nations histories and cultures. It is a good resource for anyone seeking to understand cultural heritage and contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australians.
"Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia", Anita Heiss (ed) is an anthology showcasing diverse Indigenous experiences.
"The Yield", Tara June Winch. Indigenous culture and language. Winner of the Miles Franklin Award.
"Carpentaria" by Alexis Wright is an epic(!!!) award-winning novel addressing native title rights and political struggles.
"Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence" by Doris Pilkington is a true story about three young Indigenous girls who escape from a government settlement to return to their families. The book and movie highlight the Stolen Generations and resilience.
"Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music" - singer-songwriter Archie Roach’s memoir and his experiences as part of the Stolen Generation.
"My Tidda, My Sister" by Marlee Silva is stories of strength and resilience from Indigenous women and girls.
"Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray" by Anita Heiss is about a woman's search for her lost family and Country.
"Tiddas" by Anita Heiss follows the lives of five women and explores themes of friendship and personal growth.
"Terra Nullius" by Claire G. Coleman is a fiction novel examining colonisation and its impacts.
"The Old Lie”, also by Claire G. Coleman, tackles war and colonialism, parallels between past and present conflicts faced by Indigenous Australians, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
Kim Scott's novel "That Deadman Dance" is set in Western Australia and explores early contact between Europeans and the Noongar people.
"The Secret River" by Kate Grenville. This novel explores the early days of British colonisation in Australia and its impact on Indigenous peoples. It delves into the complex relationships between settlers and the Aboriginal population, making it a compelling read for understanding historical and sociological perspectives on colonisation.
Andrew McGahan’s "The White Earth" is set in the Queensland outback. Themes of land ownership, cultural displacement, and the haunting legacies of Australia's colonial past provide insight into the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Australians.
"A Most Peculiar Act" by Marie Munkara, protectionist policies and their impact on Indigenous communities.
"The White Girl", Tony Birch - an Indigenous grandmother protecting her granddaughter from welfare authorities.
"Too Much Lip", Melissa Lucashenko - family dynamics and social justice issues, Bundjalung Country.
"Mullumbimby" by Melissa Lucashenko is about an Indigenous woman navigating her identity and connection to her heritage in a predominantly white society; she explores land rights, cultural heritage, and personal resilience.
"Grog War" by Alexis Wright. A remote Indigenous community's battle against alcohol abuse. Sheds light on Indigenous Australians' social and cultural challenges and efforts to reclaim their health and heritage.
Legal reform
Alison Whittaker's "Blakwork" is a mix of memoir, reportage, fiction, and poetry that critiques contemporary society from an Indigenous perspective.
"Talking to My Country" is Stan Grant’s memoir addressing racism and the need for societal transformation.
"Australia Day" by Stan Grant again is a reflective book on Australian identity and Indigenous struggles for belonging.
"Law: The Way of the Ancestors" by Marcia Langton and Aaron Corn explores intricate Indigenous legal systems, emphasising how traditional laws have shaped and continue to influence contemporary Indigenous culture and identity.
"Everything You Need to Know About the Uluru Statement from the Heart" by Megan Davis and George Williams explains the significance of the Uluru Statement and the journey towards a representative Voice.
In "Finding the Heart of the Nation: The Journey of the Uluru Statement Towards Voice, Treaty and Truth," Thomas Mayor discusses the Uluru Statement's impact and the need for constitutional change.
Because it’s all about Country …..
Environmental activism
Margo Neale and Lynne Kelly's "Songlines: The Power and Promise" examines the significance of Songlines and their role in preserving knowledge, culture, and the environment through generations.
"Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia" by Victor Steffensen explores traditional fire management practices and their benefits for modern environmental challenges. Challenges about the value of incorporating traditional knowledge and science with Western knowledge and science.
Bruce Pascoe's "Dark Emu” challenges colonial misconceptions about Indigenous agriculture and land management, including the myth of Indigenous Australians as "mere hunter-gatherers". It presents evidence of sophisticated agriculture, aquaculture, and permanent dwellings before European settlement.