“There Is No Other World”

Country and Politics

Authors

  • Keith "Jim" Everett-puralia meenamatta Indepenent Scholar

Abstract

My essay for ASAL2022 tells a story about the changes in my years of writing political papers and poetry to writing about Country and Aboriginal perspectives of philosophy. My paper explores how my writing, and the pakana community, expresses Aboriginality and connections to Country in diverse and creative ways - from caring for Country, continuing traditional practices, reviving language and dance, and contemporary art: What was happening when I wrote hard political poetry, and why this changed when my focus was taken up to look more deeply into what being Aboriginal is all about. My paper will address why Aborigines think differently, and what this means in terms of Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing. My paper talks about the impacts Aborigines suffer from when our environments are being interfered with, and the earth is being hurt. In conclusion, my paper will be to look at the major threat to our world environment: capitalism!

Author Biography

  • Keith "Jim" Everett-puralia meenamatta, Indepenent Scholar

    Playwright, poet, and political activist Jim Everett – puralia meenamatta is descended from the Ben Lomond people, a clan of the Cape Portland nations in North-east Tasmania. His name Pura-lia Meenamatta meaning ‘paperbark’ from the Ben Lomond area, is taken from his main ancestry, the Plangermairreenner people. Everett left primary school at age 14 to begin work. His working life included thirteen years at sea and over thirty years of formal involvement in the Aboriginal struggle. He has had a long history in the public service in Aboriginal Affairs, as well as lecturing in Aboriginal heritage, culture, and history, producing radio and television progams, and has also been a Writer-in-Residence at Risdon Cove in Tasmania and has travelled extensively in Australia visiting many remote Aboriginal communities. Jim began writing poetry at an early age. He wrote his first play, "Survivors" in 1984 after seeing Jack Davis’ play The Dreamers. His written works now include plays, political papers and short stories and he has been published in many major anthologies. Jim’s other work includes, television documentaries, educational videos and theatre productions. He lives on Cape Barren Island, writing and operating his consultancy, and in 2024 completed a masters degree at the University of Tasmania about "learning to understand Aboriginal philosophy."

Constellation by Gail Mabo. Copyright Gail Mabo/Copyright Agency, 2021

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Published

2024-04-04

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2023): Special Issue: ASAL2022 Conference Issue

Section

Special Keynote

License

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