Cirrus@Austlit

'Black Ink Press is a community-based Indigenous publishing company based in North Queensland, specialising in contemporary illustrated books for young readers. Black Ink Press has a strong commitment to publishing in Indigenous languages.'

'So far, Black Ink has published in Gudjal, Mamu, Mitakoodi, Gamilaraay, Wadja, Wik Mungkan, Wiradjuri, Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Torres Strait Creole and Nywaigi. They have new books in Kunjen and Djambarpuyingu, and are developing projects in Warrgamay, Yidinj, Waluwara, and others. Some of these only have a few words ‘in language’ but they do give readers a taste. Others are fully bi-lingual.' (Abstract)

Sheahan-Bright explores '...the growth in publishing by Indigenous writers and publishers, and of writing on Indigenous cultural themes, and some of the issues which confront publishers when dealing with Indigenous writers and illustrators' (8). The article begins with some background, and points out that despite a cultural and artistic heritage that dates back thousands of years, Indigenous writing and publishing has not been widely recognised in mainstream Australian until most recently and Sheahan-Bright says "This is despite their having been engaged in colonial conflict and later subject to the...assimilation policies which discouraged involvement with European notions of literacy" (8). She discusses the origins of the Indigenous publishing houses Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP), Institute of Aboriginal Development (IAD Press), Magabala Books, Keeaira Press, Black Ink Press, Indij Readers and briefly refers to the above mentioned texts in the section entitled 'what's being published'. This leads into a summary of the five main issues in relation to Indigenous publishing and the 'need for authenticity in writing about Indigenous peoples and culture' (11). Sheahan-Bright lists these issues as 'respect for country and Indigenous control of material', relevance of copyright issues, lack of understanding from non-Indigenous Australians, the need to consider 'protocol, specific authority, appropriation' and finally, to develop an awareness of the social factors that contribute to the socially and economically disadvantaged position of the majority of Indigenous Australians. She argues that 'knowledge of Indigenous culture is a genuine part of Australian culture ...and the publishing output should reflect that' (12). However, she concludes that while 'there has been growth in publishing Indigenous voices in English', in general, 'there are many miles still to be travelled and many seeds still to be sown' (12)

These four books are undeniably Aboriginal in nature and are all important books but there the similarities end. They present three different perspectives. The Legend of the Seven Sisters and Wunambi are traditional stories from Western Australia written by May O'Brien and illustrated by Sue Wyatt with a definite educational purpose. Pigs and Honey, written and illustrated by a non-Aboriginal person, Jeanie Adams, gives an insight into the life of the Aurukun community on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The Story of the Falling Star is not only a traditional story but also a story about the Paakantji people and their land in the Darling River area of New South Wales. It is told by one of their own people, Elsie Jones, in collaboration with the Western Regional Aboriginal Land Council.' (Introduction)