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Black Mili-mili’s Summer Read- The White Girl, by Tony Birch is the book we review in the latest episode of Black Mili-mili.  Apparently written in a few months this is an easy very succinct summer read covering some heavy topics.  The White Girl is set in the 1960s, towards the end of the mission days but before the official end of the Stolen Generations. The 1960s were a dynamic time in Australian politics, culminating in increased equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the 1967 Referendum and the birth of land rights.    We discuss major themes of the book which include the Aboriginal Exemption (not to be confused with COVID exemptions!) which was a policy imposed by state governments on Aboriginal people during the twentieth century in Australia.  Please join us! 

Get some ideas for Christmas pressies which expand the cultural knowledge of you and your family as Jeremiah and Hannah discuss a selection of children's books by Aboriginal authors.  They go through the list of engaging, colourful, and fun books ensuring they are age appropriate to the child you have in mind. The list: 1. My Country by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina- Baby (0-18 months)  2. On the Way to Nana's by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali, Illustrated by David Hardy- Toddler (18months-3 years)  3. Alfie's Big Wish by David Hardy- Pre School Age (3-6 years)  4. Saved!!! By Lydia Williams, Illustrated by Lucinda Grifford- lower school age (4-7 years) 5. Somebody's Land by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, Illustrated by David Hardy- lower school age (6-9 years)  6. Two Mates by Melanie Prewett, Illustrated by Maggie Prewett- upper school age (7-12years)  7. Ubby's Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon by Brenton E McKenna- upper school age (7-12years). 

Dark Emu has been in the spotlight for more reasons than one. The author, Bruce Pascoe, challenges our long-held beliefs about the lifestyle of Aboriginal people in Australia as being nomadic hunter gatherers highlighting Australia’s profound lack of knowledge in our own history. Dark Emu has created a debate in the Academic world and there have been many who argue with evidence Bruce Pascoe puts forward.  Not only that, the Aboriginal identify of Bruce Pascoe has also been challenged which again points to the need for a better understanding of Aboriginal people and who we are.  Please join Jeremiah and Hannah as we review and discuss Dark Emu the third book in our podcast Black Mili-mili. 

Mullimbimy is a town on the NSW North Coast but also the title of the second book we review in our Podcast Black Mili-mili Epsiode #2.  Mullimbimby is a novel which centres on Jo Breen a 30’odd Aboriginal woman who uses her divorce settlement money to buy a property in the Byron Bay hinterland. She is hoping for a tree change, and to reconnect to the land of her Aboriginal ancestors. What she discovers instead is sharp dissent from her teenage daughter Ellen, trouble brewing from unimpressed white neighbours, and a looming Native Title war among the local Bundjalung families. When Jo stumbles into love on one side of the Native Title divide she quickly learns that living on country is only part of the recipe for the Good Life. 

‘Growing up Aboriginal in Australia’, edited by Anita Heiss, was the perfect book for Black Milimili’s first episode. This book is a collection of short stories by a diverse group of Aboriginal people from all over the country sharing their own personal experiences of growing up Aboriginal in Australia. Jeremiah and Hannah discuss their favourite stories and tease out the main topics of identity, connection to land, racism and much more! They cover A LOT. Get yourself a copy in major bookstores, funky little bookstores, on your kindle, audible or however you can.