The First Nations Writers Festival continues to elevate Indigenous voices, providing a platform for emerging authors to share their stories with the world.
As more First Nations writers gain recognition, the festival highlights works which capture personal histories, cultural knowledge, and unique storytelling styles.
Anna Borzi AM, who has European, Melanesian, and Wiradjuri connections, is the Chair and Founder of the festival.
She reflected on the impact of three recognised authors; Mabel Gibson, Marlene Dee Gray Potoura, and Richard Napam, whose works exemplify the power of Indigenous storytelling.
"Mabel, supported by her publishers Night Parrot Press, has created an important style / structure for telling stories that is relevant to the 21st century," Ms Borzi said.
"Ms Gibson…has illustrated a story structure that is both stunning and powerful."
Mabel Gibson's CryBaby is a collection of micro-memoirs which explores her life from childhood to early adulthood as a Yamatji woman.
The work touches on themes of mental health, love, and loss.
"Writing CryBaby was a chance for me to process so much grief and heartache and guilt that I've carried with me for much of my life," she said.
"I wanted the collection to be like pure thought on a page and at the same time I wanted to prove to everyone that I could write clever writing that had intention and layers and emotional depth to it."
Mrs Borzi acknowledged the depth of Ms Marlene Dee Gray Potoura's storytelling, describing her as "possibly the most prolific author in the world".
"She is able to write a masterpiece short story, filled with cultural nuances, daily," she said.
Ms Potoura, who lost her father to assassination during the Bougainville Crisis, has spoken about the personal significance of her memoir.
She said writing became a way to process grief, describing her memories as "sprouting like fresh flowers" and giving her a reason to heal.
Mrs Borzi also reflected on Mr Richard Napam's Stunned by Light, describing it as "a journey through a family's life…with joy and tragedy…filled with culture and acute observations rarely found in mainstream novels".
Mr Napam, who comes from the Yano tribe in the Tambul Nebilyer district of Papua New Guinea, spoke about the challenges of writing his debut novel.
"I realised that writing is hard but the only way to get out of that difficulty is to write my way out," he said.
'Stunned by Light' by Richard Napam. (Image: Supplied)
Mr Napam said he hopes his work will help share Papua New Guinean stories with a wider audience.
"PNG has beautiful stories…Our stories can float across oceans and inspire millions across the globe," he said.
Mrs Borzi believes that highlighting Indigenous authors is essential for preserving and strengthening cultural knowledge.
"Stories are being lost," she said.
"We want to see those young faces…receive awards for magnificent story books - speaking of their culture.
"Their stories matter to people around the world, and their stories must be told."
She also sees the festival as playing a critical role in recording oral histories and passing knowledge to future generations.
"More than a thousand different languages [thus cultures] across the Greater Pacific, cultures, rich science knowledge, ancient history is reaching the crescendo of existing life," she said.
Ms Borzi stressee said the First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is committed to publishing Indigenous authors "in their own voice" rather than editing them to fit mainstream expectations.
"With no government-enforced limits, FNWF is able to make changes strategically and quickly," she said.
Looking ahead, Mrs Borzi says the festival will continue expanding.
"Touring Australia? Yes. Touring the world? Yes. Our aim is to take these stories everywhere," she said.
