Oral Traditions, Contemporary Voices. John Curtin Gallery Curator, First Nations Art Michelle Broun and Curtin Cultural Immersion Facilitator Elisha Jacobs discuss Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander oral traditions and the passing down of history and knowledge through the generations.

Michelle and Elisha’s presentation touches on the strength of oral traditions and how these have sustained Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years.

They will also talk about the importance of contemporary Aboriginal voices in the context of truth-telling and opportunities for healing and consider how might a First Nations definition of an ‘archive’ be different than that of Western mainstream definitions?

What are the principles and values associated First Nations ‘archives’? And how can mainstream institutions ensure Aboriginal histories and living heritages are valued and cared for.

Curtin writers respond to The Alternative Archive

What happens when creative writers are gifted access to a rich and diverse visual archive? What stories will arise? What new connections or meanings will develop?Hear Curtin University staff and alumni respond to The Alternative Archive with original works of fiction and non-fiction. Travel with us to places and times near and far, as we enter the archive and spin our stories.Featured writers include Susanna Castleden, Rosemary Sayer, Deborah Hunn and Sally Murphy. Facilitated by Rachel Robertson. Also featuring guest writer Kelly Fliedner, co-editor of Semaphore, a prestigious on line and printed magazine that publishes poetry and short fiction.