Photo by RONA SCHERER

FOREWORD

In fall 2015, 32 indigenous writers and photographers living in Australia and the United States came together in an online exchange to create fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography centered on the theme of "narrative witness." Led by writing and photography workshop facilitators, the group workshopped their photo essays and texts online over the course of two months. Reflecting on her experience in the workshop, Australian participant Timmah Ball said, “Narrative Witness was a powerful experience and opportunity to see the parallels and enduring legacy of colonization in both America and Australia. Workshopping my ideas with other first nation writers was enriching; allowing me to push some of the issues I have been wanting to explore even further.” More information on the exchange can be found on the International Writing Program’s website.

The International Writing Program is proud to present the collected work of Narrative Witness: Indigenous Peoples, Australia-United States

Photo by VENAYA YAZZIE

CONTENTS

THE CONFLUENCE | BYRON F. ASPAAS, UNITED STATES

OUR FAMILIAR FACES | JAMES D. AUTIO, UNITED STATES

GILLARD AND GUACAMOLE | TIMMAH BALL, AUSTRALIA

X+X+X+X-X-X-X | ESTHER BELIN, UNITED STATES

THE GIFT OF THE BLANKET TREE | JOSEPH BRUCHAC, UNITED STATES

SHUT/MOUTH/SCREAM | BRENDA L. CROFT, AUSTRALIA

TIMBER SCRIBE | LAURA DA', UNITED STATES

COMING HOME | VIKI EAGLE, UNITED STATES

NATIVE LANDSCAPES | MAX EARLY, UNITED STATES

MAIEM (WELCOME) | SAMANTHA FAULKNER, AUSTRALIA

GLIMPSE AT DINÉ, PORTRAITS OF A PEOPLE AND A PLACE | FIDEL FRANK, UNITED STATES

SOME BURNED. SOME DANCED. SOME MOVED ON. | JENNY FRASER, AUSTRALIA

VENTILATOR | SANTEE FRAZIER, UNITED STATES

DIRT CHILD | SAMIA GOUDIE, AUSTRALIA

WE WERE THERE WHEN JAZZ WAS INVENTED, OR A LOVE SONG FOR JUSTICE FIELDS | JOY HARJO, UNITED STATES

TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF PEACE | ALLISON ADELLE HEDGE COKE, UNITED STATES

READING THE STREETS | ROBERTA HILL, UNITED STATES

MY INHERITANCE OF HUMOR | ANGELINA HURLEY, AUSTRALIA

WOVEN JUXTAPOSITION | DAKOTA MACE, UNITED STATES

WITNESSING | MELISSA MICHAL, UNITED STATES

THE OWL AND THE HOLLOW BONE HUNTER | SHARON MUNUNGGURR, AUSTRALIA

LIFE IN MINDINGU | SYLVIA NAKACHI, AUSTRALIA

TSO?MEPU / HARVEST | SHAUNA OSBORN, UNITED STATES

ILLUSIONARY EQUILIBRIUM OF AN ABORIGINAL MIND | WAYNE QUILLIAM, AUSTRALIA

INDETERMINATION | RONA SCHERER, AUSTRALIA

AN EXPLORATION OF RESILIENCE | KALI SPITZER, CANADA

MAKÅNA | LEHUA TAITANO, UNITED STATES

TERRITORIAL ENCOUNTERS | JAMES TYLOR, AUSTRALIA

MOTHER'S DISCONNECT | ALEXIS WEST

WOMEN OF WATER: BAA' | VENAYA YAZZIE, UNITED STATES