5.07.23
In celebration of NAIDOC Week, this July we're shining the spotlight on First Nations creators, and we're thrilled to share our Spotlight interview with Samantha Faulkner!
Samantha is a Torres Strait Islander (Badu and Moa Islands) and Aboriginal (Wuthathi/Yadhaigana) woman. She is the author of Life Blong Ali Drummond and editor of Pamle: Torres Strait Islanders in Canberra. She has poetry and short stories published nationally and internationally and is the Treasurer of First Nations Australia Writers Network and Us Mob Writing Group. She is currently editing Growing Up Torres Strait Islander in Australia, due for publication by Black Inc. in 2024.
What inspired you to begin writing?
A love of words, writing and poetry. I’d always liked English as a subject at school and even reading the dictionary as a young child. Yarning with my grandad over a cup of tea, turned into a manuscript and then a publication - Life Blong Ali Drummond - which was an incredible journey.
What do you hope readers will take away from your work?
To seek out and read more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literature. There is a whole lot of poetry, short stories, fiction and non-fiction out there. It’s a growing field which is great to see. So many emerging writers and lots of genres to explore.
What do you know now that you wish you'd known at the start of your career?
Be confident, it’s all a learning journey/experience. Write more and write when you can. Seek out mentors, other writers and learn the craft.
What does this year's NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders, mean to you?
For Our Elders is about honouring and respecting our Elders, listen to them. They have a lot of knowledge and wisdom and we can all learn from them.
Who are the First Nations authors/illustrators you think everyone should be reading?
Melissa Lucashenko, Charmaine Papertalk Green, Debra Dank, Thomas Mayor, Jillian Bowie. Also check out Black Words at Aust Lit.
Hear more from Samantha Faulkner at our free NAIDOC Week panel, For Our Elders, on Friday 7 July, 11.00am-11.40am. RSVPs are essential.
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