Write and Wrong: methods and practice of First Nations Australian representation in young adult fiction Thesis submitted for the Doctor of Philosophy in Communication degree of the University of Canberra Author: Sophie-Anne Edwina Stanton 31st January 2020 i Abstract Representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) peoples by non- Indigenous writers in young adult fiction is a complex area of study made contentious by political and social tensions stemming from Australia’s colonial history. Representations can have harmful real-world effects (Lucashenko, 2009) rooted not only in their consumption but also in the methods of production. When writing about Indigenous Australian peoples, non-indigenous authors are faced with negotiating these tensions. This thesis documents and compares information about the writing practices and reflections of non-Indigenous authors in regard to their critically lauded works that contain representations of Indigenous peoples. In doing so, it indicates moments of tension, success, and possible pathways towards deeper intercultural understanding. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten writers, all of whom published young adult novels shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia between 2002 and 2016, in order to explore their experiences of writing across cultures. Their novels were analysed with reference to postcolonial theories and Indigenous criticisms of representation in writing. The writers’ responses to the interview questions were coded and analysed according to established social research methods to establish individuals’ motivations and methods, and examine their reflections on writing about Indigenous peoples. Discussion of the similarities and differences between the participants’ responses revealed three main themes relating to the research aims. Firstly, the participating writers have a broad awareness of tensions in Indigenous representation including the potential for appropriation and/or tokenism. Secondly, the participants are concerned about the contribution they are making to discourses involving Indigenous peoples and cultures. Finally, despite general agreement that the Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Writing (Protocols) are important, responses given by the writers conveyed varying levels of scepticism and resistance to using Protocols as a practical resource. These findings demonstrate the importance of Indigenous representation to Australian young adult literature production, and indicate and define areas of tension that offer opportunities for deeper intercultural engagement by writers. v Contents Certificate of Authorship of Thesis ........................................................................................... iii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Introduction, Methods and Literature Review ............................................... 1 Project Objective .......................................................................................................................... 1 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 5 Literature Review .................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2: Sue Lawson ................................................................................................................ 31 Freedom Ride (published 2015) ........................................................................................ 31 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 3: David Metzenthen ................................................................................................... 49 Wildlight (published 2002) .................................................................................................. 49 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................... 53 Chapter 4: Leonie Norrington .................................................................................................. 63 The Spirit of Barrumbi (published 2003) ....................................................................... 63 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................... 69 Chapter 5: Kirsty Murray ........................................................................................................... 83 A Prayer for Blue Delaney (published 2005) ................................................................ 83 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................... 89 Chapter 6: Clare Atkins ............................................................................................................. 107 Nona and Me (published 2014) ........................................................................................ 107 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 112 Chapter 7: Julia Lawrinson ...................................................................................................... 135 Bye, Beautiful (published 2006) ....................................................................................... 135 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 140 vii Chapter 8: Jackie French .......................................................................................................... 159 The Girl from Snowy River (published 2012) ............................................................. 159 Refuge (published 2013) ..................................................................................................... 164 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 168 Chapter 9: Ursula Dubosarsky ............................................................................................... 189 The Golden Day (published 2011) ................................................................................... 189 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 192 Chapter 10: Bronwyn Blake .................................................................................................... 205 Find Me a River (published 2001), Rock Dancer (published 2002) ................... 205 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 212 Chapter 11: Vikki Wakefield ................................................................................................... 227 Friday Brown (published 2012) ....................................................................................... 227 Interview Analysis ................................................................................................................. 230 Chapter 12: Concluding Discussion of Interviews ......................................................... 253 Personal and Personality: Emotions, Mindsets, and Reflections ......................... 253 Writing and Righting: Techniques, Methods and Messages .................................. 259 Ethics and Activism ............................................................................................................... 275 Summary of Key Findings ................................................................................................... 284 Moving Forward ..................................................................................................................... 285 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 287 Appendix 1: Participant Information and Consent Form ............................................ 295 Appendix 2: Interview Guide .................................................................................................. 297 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 297 Beginning Stage ....................................................................................................................... 297 Intensive Stage ........................................................................................................................ 297 End Stage Questions .............................................................................................................. 298 Appendix 3: Example of Coding Diagrams ........................................................................ 299 viii Sue Lawson: Coding Diagrams .......................................................................................... 299 Appendix 4: List of Texts that Fulfilled the Selection Criteria ..................................