Jodi Haines is a well know Aboriginal singer song writer. Listen to her performing her song, "Change the Date" with the link above. She is Gomeroi woman, with her father's family coming from Toomelah mission, now the Toomelah Aboriginal community, in northern NSW. Jodi grew up in Hobart and is currently an Associate Lecturer at the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education at the University of Tasmania.
John Karranjal Hartley was born in NSW, with his mother's family coming from north Queensland. In John's chapter, he tells of his struggle and personal journey to make connection with his Indigenous identity. He co produced the documentary, "Two Brothers Walking", about spiritual people in spiritual country, which examines some these issues. In the link below, he introduces the documentary, which you can then watch via ClickView.
Terri Janke is a descendant of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait Islands and the Wuthathi people of mainland Australia. Terri is an Indigenous lawyer who runs a legal firm and specialises in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property. She is also author of the book, "Butterfly Song" which tells a story from the pearling days of the Torres Strait to the ebb and flow of big-city life, with a modern heroine whose story reaches across cultures.
Read about Terri Janke's achievements here:
Keira Jenkins is a Gamilaroi woman from Morree in north-west New South Wales. She works as a journalist and photographer, reporting for NITV on SBS. In her chapter, "What It's Like", she describes her unapologetic identification as an indigenous person, despite her fairer appearance due to her Norwegian/English heritage. Read some of Keira's articles here:
Patrick Johnson is a Kaanju man from far north Queensland, who was raised by his widowed Irish father on a boat. He spent 12 years as an elite athlete and is the current Oceanian and Australian record holder in the 100 metres. Patrick worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 10 years, and spent more than 20 years in advocacy work for equal rights for all Australians through health, education and well being. He has worked for the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT) as the Indigenous Leadership project officer, supporting, developing and nurturing leaders in the 25 community controlled health services across the NT.
Scott Kennedy is a Ngpiyampaa man from Condobolin in New South Wales. In his chapter, "Red Dust Kids", he describes his childhood growing up in rough and tough circumstances. He experienced poverty and violence and later turned to drug use, while living in Kings Cross, and ended up in prison while still a youth. Scott got off drugs and found work, but unexpected circumstances led him back into prison, where he is now writing his memoir that will be published soon.
In "December 21" Sharon Kingaby writes about her childhood, together with her sisters, in a home for Aboriginal women and children in Brisbane. The date December 21 1967 is the day she was taken away by a non-aboriginal family to live with them and begin her journey away from her family and culture. Sharon describes her experience of adapting and assimilating in order to survive until, much later in life, she is persuaded to become an Aboriginal Liaison Officer at a local primary school. Sharon now works as an Aboriginal Development Officer in Gippsland.
Ambelin Kwaymullina comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region and grew up in Whadjuk Noongar country, in Perth. She is an author of books for children and young adults, and she is also a law academic. Many of her books are available to borrow from our library.
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by 
