Six of Ali Cobby Eckermann's poems are read by the poet herself. Each reading comes with a short interview that explains the work more. Eckermann is a Yankunytjatjara/Kokatha woman born on Kaurna land in South Australia.
Structure and features
For students and families
Students can choose one or more of the poems for close study. They could think about how Eckermann:
- reflects on the relationship between the natural word and her personal and cultural identity
- recalls and strengthens ancestral and family connections through dreams, ceremony and domestic routines
- addresses aspects of wider social, cultural, political and historical issues in Australia by drawing on her own experiences and family background
- expresses grief over the loss of a mother, as experienced over several generations.
- uses elements of Aboriginal storytelling and poetic traditions to connect past, present and future.
For teachers
This is a flexible resource for poetry study for year 10 to year 12. Poems can be used singly or you could create a full unit based on the collection.
Two radio interviews provide valuable understandings of Eckermann’s context, ideas and craft.
Teachers can use NSW HSC documents.
Links and files
Teacher notes
Focus areas
- Poetry
- Literature
- Literary technique
- Critique
- Intertextuality.
Curriculum links
- English.
Assessment
Formative and summative tasks as directed by teacher.
