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Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the sacred lands on which we work. We pay our respects to the people of the Kulin Nations and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past present and future.

We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers; and that knowledge transfer through storytelling is imbedded in the very DNA of this Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Kirli Saunders

Kirli Saunders (OAM) is a proud Gunai Woman who rarely stays in her lane. She’s an award winning multidisciplinary artist, writer, singer-songwriter and consultant. Kirli creates, to connect, to make change. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the arts (2022).

Kirli has partnered with global organisations including Google, Fender, Sydney Opera House, Qantas and Spotify, Mecca and Aesop on visual art and writing projects. Her film collaboration, Cry of the Glossy (Grassland Films) has been screened around the world. Her books among others include Bindi, Our Dreaming and Returning (2023, Magabala). Her forthcoming titles include poetry collection, Eclipse (JOAN) and childrens picture books, The Land Recalls You (Scholastic) and Afloat (Hardie Grant).

Kirli is currently writing her anticipated novel, Yaraman, taking her play Going Home through a second development and recording her first album with Mark Harding, in their indie folk Band, Cooee.


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