Dedication: This dedication is to a person that helped me through the heartaches, pains and joys of my life. This woman has been a fighter of always and has never given up no matter what obstacles were put in front of her. She gave me strength, guidance and understanding of my own identity and spirituality. She is a true believer of the struggles of Aboriginal people and to keep culture strong in the hearts of our children. This woman has a gift and knowledge which is of no comparison to any person I know.
I dedicate this book to My Big Tidda, Cheryl Buchanan, thank you for helping my dream come true and I love you. To my mother and all my family, you hold a special place in my life. My daughter, who will grow strong, black and beautiful. My grandmother I have never seen, but I know she still walks with us every day.
'In the 1960s Oodgeroo Noonuccal (then Kath Walker) hit the literary limelight as Australia’s first published ‘Aboriginal poet’ and since then Aboriginal writers have used their work as a form of self-definition and to defend our rights to our identity. Many authors are inspired by the need to redress historical government definitions of Aboriginality, to reclaim pride in First Nation status, to explain the diversity of Aboriginal experience, and to demonstrate the realities and complexities of ‘being Aboriginal’ in the 21st century.'
Source: Author's introduction.
'In the 1960s Oodgeroo Noonuccal (then Kath Walker) hit the literary limelight as Australia’s first published ‘Aboriginal poet’ and since then Aboriginal writers have used their work as a form of self-definition and to defend our rights to our identity. Many authors are inspired by the need to redress historical government definitions of Aboriginality, to reclaim pride in First Nation status, to explain the diversity of Aboriginal experience, and to demonstrate the realities and complexities of ‘being Aboriginal’ in the 21st century.'
Source: Author's introduction.
