Magabala Books congratulates the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) on the shortlisting of their social history The Shield and the Spear for Book of the Year in the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards.

Commissioned by the KLC and written and compiled by Joe Fox, The Shield and the Spear covers 40 years of the Kimberley Land Council’s incredible history of activism and advocacy.

KLC Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Parriman said the book is an important resource as the nation moves towards the referendum for a Voice.

“The Shield and the Spear brings together our stories with the voices and wisdom from our elders before us.

From Noonkanbah to the Crocodile Hole Report to Parliament House and the United Nations, our elders have been advocating for the establishment of local and regional structures to have the voices of Kimberley Aboriginal people heard.

When we’re asked to vote on a Voice to Parliament later this year, we must remember their hard-won battles and continue their legacy to ensure a better future for Kimberley Aboriginal people.”

The winner will be announced at the State Library of Western Australia in June.