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Consultation and consent: Writing Australian historical fiction

Authors of Australian historical fiction are expected to understand and implement respectful storytelling practices when working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples or Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). While there are comprehensive educational resources available on cultural protocols, it can be difficult to understand how the process of consultation and consent works in practice. 

Learn by example in this session with Leonie Norrington and Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, who will share how they approached and navigated the writing and editing of historical novel, A Piece of Red Cloth, under the supervision of Yolngu knowledge holders Djawa Burarrwanga and Djawundil Maymurum. 

You will learn:

  • What motivated the writing and sharing of this particular story, and why that motivation is a crucial component when working with ICIP.
  • When in the process local knowledge holders were brought into the project and how they were approached for consultation and consent.
  • How it was decided which stories and details should and should not be included in order to protect sacred or secret knowledge, words, names and locations.
  • Why the process of consultation and consent when working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people or with their ICIP is vital
  • How the collaborative process can enrich a creative project.

All authors of Australian historical fiction will benefit from Leonie and Merrkiyawuy’s experience and gain a clear understanding of how valuable the ICIP protocols are, not just to the final work but to the author’s experience of the process and the story they are sharing.

There will be time for questions.

All First Nations authors are welcome to attend this event free of charge. Please email [email protected] to register your attendance.

Who is this for?

  • Authors embarking on an Australian historical fiction project who want to learn how they can follow the ICIP protocols from the outset
  • Authors with an Australian historical fiction manuscript underway or completed who need to address the ICIP protocols and would like to learn by example
  • Authors and illustrators working in any genre who are seeking guidance on respectful storytelling practices when working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people or working with their ICIP
  • Editors and publishers looking to develop their knowledge of ICIP protocols and best practice

About the Presenters

Leonie Norrington & Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs
Leonie Norrington & Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs
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Can't make it to the live session?

No problem! Everyone booked in to this event will be emailed a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards. This recording will be available to view for 10 days after the live session. This also means that if you wish to revisit the session after attending it live to take further notes, you can do so!

After 10 days, the link will expire and the recording will no longer be available to view.