Critiquing the work of Katharine Susannah Prichard - With Jacqueline Wright and Jeanine Leane

Writing NSW

This recording is part of the Honouring Australian Writers series, where Writing NSW pays tribute to writers who have made an important contribution to our literary culture. In 2020 we honour renowned author, journalist, playwright, and political activist Katharine Susannah Prichard. As part of re-examining Prichard’s legacy, this conversation between Jacqueline Wright and Jeanine Leane critically considers Prichard’s 1929 novel Coonardoo, and its place within a broader context of how First Nations peoples have been portrayed in their colonisers’ stories. In this discussion are Jacqueline Wright, editor, teacher and author with over 20 years’ experience as a linguist in WA’s remote north-west on Australian Aboriginal language, interpreting and cultural programs, and Jeanine Leane, Wiradjuri writer, poet and academic who as published widely in the area of Aboriginal literature, writing otherness and creative non-fiction. This conversation was recorded during NAIDOC Week, and Writing NSW recognises the 2020 theme Always Was, Always Will Be. First Nations people are the original storytellers on this land, and have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. For more recordings, videos and reading material, including a list of the texts mentioned in this recording, visit the Katharine Susannah Prichard Honouring page at writingnsw.org.au