Australian Indigenous Books & Authors

Australia is a nation with a rich history and is composed of many unique cultures. First Nations Australians, Australia's first occupants, have lived and practiced their traditions on the land for over sixty thousand years.

While Indigenous Australians are frequently referred to as one large, singular community, there are actually two very different and distinct groups: Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. When we talk about Aboriginal Australians, we discuss those related to the individuals who inhabited Australia before Britain began its colonization in 1788. The Torres Strait Islander peoples, however, descend from residents of the Torres Strait Islands, a group of islands existing in what is known today as Queensland, Australia.

Between 750,000 and 1,250,000 Aboriginal Australians are estimated to have lived in Australia before the British invaded. Tragically, thousands of Indigenous people were killed due to withheld resources and great violence as settlers brutally seized their lands.Currently, roughly 3% of Australians are of Aboriginal ancestry, with 250 different linguistic groups dispersed across the continent. Aboriginal Australians today still battle to preserve their culture and pursue both government recognition and reparation. While the Indigenous people of Australia continue sharing their diverse cultures with each new generation through song, dance, ceremony, and language, much of their history has been lost or concealed. Sadly, because of this, unaltered documentation of Indigenous history and experiences is scarce.

Routledge's collection of indigenous books stands as an invaluable treasure, illuminating diverse cultures and perspectives with each page turned. These books are more than mere narratives; they are bridges to understanding, connecting readers to the rich culture of indigenous knowledge, history, and ways of life. They give voice to traditions that have often been marginalised, celebrating the resilience and wisdom of indigenous communities. 

These Aboriginal books serve as a bridge between past and present, inviting readers to embark on a journey of understanding and reconciliation. In a world where the importance of preserving and celebrating Indigenous knowledge has never been clearer, our dedication to sharing Aboriginal voices through their collection of books is a crucial contribution to a more inclusive literary landscape.

This day was and is known as the Day of Mourning. On January 16th, 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney. The march was a prelude to a congress that around a thousand people attended. This was one of the world's first major civil rights gatherings and set the stage for later counter-movements on Australia Day, which have since become more widely known, such as Invasion Day.

Some of the atrocities carried out by European settlers toward the Aboriginal and Indigenous people of Australia include 400 known massacres. There are at least 26 recorded instances of mass poisonings of Aboriginal Australians. And, of course, the unforgivable saga of the Stolen Children, in which Australian federal and state government agencies employed the mass removal of mixed-race children from their families. This brutality ensued between 1905, with some areas of the country still taking children through to the 1970s.

Yet, while the rest of Australia and its new settlers celebrate Australia Day every year to mark their arrival, the aboriginal inhabitants of this beautiful country are still, to this day, reconciling with mass murder, stolen children, rationed food supply, and sub-human rights compared to their white counterparts.

This week of observance affords us all the opportunity to take stock of these matters and to acknowledge the pain and strife that indigenous people living in Australia have endured and still fight against today.

Although, the week is celebrated within the Indigenous Australian communities, increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, and local councils are also participating in the annual celebrations. Every year NAIDOC Week celebrations are centered on a theme chosen by the national organizing committee. This year the theme is 'For Our Elders,' which recognizes that across every generation, Elders have played and continue to play an important role and hold a prominent place in communities and families.

Taylor & Francis is proud to shine a light on NAIDOC week and to show our participation in the annual celebration; we encourage healthy, open, and honest dialogue around these issues. If you would like to learn more about the European settlement in Australia and the history of its indigenous people, then you can browse Aboriginal and Indigenous books and Australian authors here.