On Friday 24th February, Magabala Books’ will host a session at the Perth Writers Festival, as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

Chaired by Magabala Management Committee Director, Steve Kinnane, 'Challenging assumptions: 30 years of independent Indigenous publishing' will bring together award-winning Magabala authors, Bruce Pascoe, Jared Thomas and Alison Whittaker with publisher, Rachel Bin Salleh as they explore, challenge, redefine and bust open the narratives of culture, identity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling in Australia.

Each author will participate in additional sessions throughout the festival, with Yuin and Bunurong man, Bruce Pascoe joining Australian writer and artist, Kim Mahood for 'Common Ground', a conversation about the importance of land and the value of Indigenous knowledge. He will also talk about his latest children’s book, Mrs Whitlam at both the 'Schools Day' and 'Family Day'.

A Nukunu man from South Australia, Jared Thomas will also appear at the 'Schools Day' to talk about his latest Young Adult novel, Songs that sound like blood, and discuss his favourite books with fellow children’s and YA authors, Peadar O’Guilin, Garth Nix and Zana Fraillon in 'The Books that Shape Us'.

Poet, Gomeroi woman, and author of Lemons in the Chicken Wire, Alison Whittaker will feature in 'Poetic Tension' with New Zealand poet, Hera Lindsay Bird, and join her again for 'The Big Read', together with Amanda Joy, Caitlin Maling, Charlotte Guest, Susan Varga and Zoe Barnard. In 'Body Language', she will share the stage with Sikh storyteller, Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa and songwriter, musician and novelist, Holly Throsby to each present a piece of new writing on body empowerment and discuss ways in which women are affected by gendered language.

The Perth Writers Festival runs from 23-26th February and is part of the Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF), the longest running international arts festival in Australia and Western Australia’s premier cultural event. PIAF runs from 10th February to 5th March, with its film program running until 16th April.

See the PIAF website for a full list of sessions and events.