In the formative years of Twitter, the platform served as a vital space for First Nations individuals to connect, express their feelings, and engage with their communities, according to Goorie and Koori poet Evelyn Araluen. Araluen, recognized for her debut poetry collection Dropbear which won the 2022 Stella Prize, and for The Rot which garnered the 2026 Victorian Prize for Literature, highlights the communal aspect that social media once offered.
“X, formerly Twitter, used to be a vibrant platform where people could come together, share their identities, cultures, histories, and engage in meaningful conversations,” Araluen states. She recalls that during her active days on Twitter, she connected with numerous Blackfellas, creating a strong sense of community among diverse cultural backgrounds.
However, the landscape shifted dramatically after Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, implementing various changes including the dismissal of external content moderators. Araluen expresses concern that X has since become an unsafe environment for marginalized groups.
“Discussions related to Indigeneity or First Nations contexts are often met with a barrage of violent and repugnant comments, making it intolerable for our people to engage in those spaces,” she comments. Although negative commentary has always existed, she notes that previously there were better mechanisms to manage and filter out such remarks from individual feeds. Since the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, she believes the situation has deteriorated significantly, impacting not only online discourse but also schools, universities, and workplaces, a view supported by research.
“Racists are emboldened now, feeling they can express their views without fear of backlash, as they find a supportive audience for their remarks,” Araluen observes.
In light of these challenges, Araluen emphasizes the importance of the Blak & Bright Writers Festival, Australia’s premier gathering of First Nations writers and storytellers, scheduled to be held in Naarm (Melbourne) from September 3-6. This festival aims to showcase the depth and richness of First Nations storytelling.
Among the lineup of speakers are notable figures such as Araluen, Melissa Lucashenko, Chelsea Watego, Tony Armstrong, Bruce Pascoe, Tasma Walton, Brooke Blurton, Anita Heiss, and Claire G Coleman. Araluen invites individuals from all backgrounds to participate, stressing that while the speakers are from First Nations backgrounds, the festival is open to everyone.
“Our goal is to foster a sense of community and togetherness that transcends race and background,” she adds.
Bebe Oliver, the artistic director and CEO of Blak & Bright, who is an acclaimed Bardi Jawi author, poet, and illustrator, shares a similar philosophy. “We firmly believe that Blak stories are for all,” he states, encouraging attendance from individuals regardless of their ethnic background, provided they approach the festival with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Oliver also emphasizes the importance of engaging with First Nations storytellers beyond the festival. “It’s essential not just to participate in the festival but also to seek out and immerse oneself in more Blak stories,” he advises.
As the Blak & Bright festival celebrates its ten-year anniversary, Oliver reflects on the broader challenges faced by writers’ festivals. “It’s disheartening to witness the ongoing turbulence in the national literary scene, with funding cuts and censorship affecting what can be shared and published,” he remarks. Despite these hurdles, he is proud of the festival’s resilience and its commitment to elevating First Nations storytelling as a central element of the literary landscape in Australia.
