ARTD Book Club Yarn Up: Reflecting on Terra Nullius by Claire G. Coleman
At ARTD, we are never shy about picking up a book or two! Our desire to strengthen our cultural understanding has led us to read more widely and thoughtfully, particularly since participating in cultural capability training. Late last year, a group of staff gathered for the second meeting of our Book Club Yarn Up to discuss Claire G. Coleman’s Terra Nullius.
Claire Coleman is a Noongar woman, born in Western Australia and currently living in Naarm (Melbourne). Coleman uses the conventions of science fiction and (spoiler alert….) aliens to draw out the horror and ongoing impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Coleman’s use of (fictional) historic archival extracts, invites readers to reflect on the people, stories and emotion behind the familiar history that many of us would have been taught in school.
Book Club Reflections
The discussion group (Maia, Louise, Isa, Eleanor, Steph, Ash, and Rae) dove into the book’s themes and storytelling techniques. An immediate stand out was the diversity of our reactions, shaped by our differing backgrounds – shown in contrast between those who grew up in Australia and those who did not. We also heard fresh reflections from members who were reading the book for a second time, noticing how their perspectives had shifted with a new reading.
A few key reflections emerged from our conversation:
- The power of place – Coleman’s description of country, and the deep connection and relationship between people and their country is incredibly evocative. These passages we’re a reminder of the centrality of Country in Aboriginal worldviews, and the losses inflicted by colonisation.
- Genre as a vehicle for empathy – Surprisingly enough, sci-fi storytelling can be an effective way to evoke empathy in the reader. It can hook you and take you on an emotional journey in a different way.
- Parallels and perspectives – For people who did not grow up in Australia and did not have the same exposure to Australian history and colonisation, the sci-fi approach was very effective. It wasn’t immediately obvious what was taken directly from historical accounts and what was fictionalised, making the horror of actual historical events and policies even more shocking. We discussed how this provides examples of colonisation of power, knowledge and psyche, and how this can manifest in valuing Indigenous knowledge and experiences as “less than”.
- Bureaucracy and harm – Coleman’s use of historical “extracts” of historical documentation, as well as key alien/ settler characters highlighted the way that government and bureaucracy (even if well meaning) can contribute to the harms of colonisation. We discussed the uncomfortable echoes in our own work and acknowledged the importance of keeping this reflection top of mind.
Looking Ahead
Excitingly, these conversations will form part of an ongoing series where we use literature for dialogue and growth.
If you are interested in reading Terra Nullius, you can find more information here
