The evocative title of Flock: First Nations Stories Then and Now uses powerful bird imagery as a metaphor relating to collective strength and voice. The indigenous red-tailed black cockatoo layered across the cover also echoes cultural totems and connections to country for First Nations people, a theme that runs deep throughout this anthology. The way in which the seamless editing by acclaimed Mununjali Yugambeh
author Ellen van Neerven has woven together nineteen voices including her own, manifests itself in the art of storytelling in Flock is exceptional. With a mix of 21 independent fictional short stories and contributions that cover First Nations’ historical, social and cultural concerns these inter-generational voices are united in their common purpose: to open the wings into conversation and consideration around the treatment and culture of First Nations people.
Whilst there are some common threads throughout the publication such as colonial dispossession, connection to Country, kinship and family, what makes the reading so pleasurable is the fact that all these stories have been previously published elsewhere (between 1996–2021) and now found their second nest in the pages of this beautiful book. The contributing authors range from early career to well established writers which makes devouring the 272 page text all the more delightful in the written expression and images drawn on. These diverse voices write diverse content, ranging from the different ways that one can connect to Country (Andy and Thomas) to the stolen generations (Taylor and Weller) and even identity and belonging (Thomas and Sarward). Curated with the vision to strengthen the voices of First Nations authors in Australia, this text will have its reader soaring with the quality of writing and depth of discussion emerging from each story.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
