Reading List category: 

First Nations History

First Nations History
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art (2024)
Marcia Langton and Judith Ryan (eds)
Sixty-five thousand years of continuous culture, Indigenous knowledge and powerful art. First Peoples’ cultural and design traditions flourished for thousands of generations. Their art shaped the continent as we know it today and the societies that thrived here; but these continuing artistic practices and new art forms were disregarded by the settlers, and not considered to be ‘fine art’ until the late 1980s. In this publication, twenty-five writers urge us to reconsider the art history that is unique to the Australian continent and to acknowledge its rise to prominence in modern times.
Frontier Wars
First Nations History
A Military History of Australia (3rd edition, 2008)
Grey, Jeffrey, ed.
A detailed chronological narrative of Australia's wars across more than two hundred years, set in the contexts of defence and strategic policy, the development of society and the impact of war and military service on Australia and Australians.
First Nations History
ABC Radio National
Various producers and presenters
Regularly features programs relevant to First Nations history, the Voice and Frontier Wars, eg. Awaye!, Big Ideas, Conversations, Late Night Live, Speaking Out, Word Up
First Nations History
Aboriginal Australians: Black Responses to White Dominance, 1788-2001 (3rd edition, 2002)
Broome, Richard
Explains the land rights struggle since Mabo, the Hindmarsh Island affair, debates over the 'stolen generation', 'sorry' and reconciliation, and the recent experience of Aboriginal Australia.
First Nations History
After the Dreaming: The 1968 Boyer Lectures (1969 and later editions)
Stanner, WEH
More than 50 years on, these essays on Aboriginals, their society and their vision of the world still inform and stimulate. Contains the famous phrase, ‘the great Australian silence’.
Frontier Wars
First Nations History
An Atlas of Australia’s Wars (2nd edition, 2006)
Coates, John
Covers frontier conflict and colonial wars during the 19th century, as well as the ten major wars of the 20th century plus peacekeeping activities. Includes a comprehensive account of major operations and campaigns.