Stories grow through Country, culture, community and generations.
First Stories Collective brings together First Nations writers, storytellers, illustrators, editors, publishers, cultural leaders, librarians, educators, arts workers and other literary professionals from across the continent.
The Collective is based on the shared understanding that story is not simply a creative act or a product. Stories hold living relationships to Country, culture, community, ancestors and future generations. The systems surrounding our storytelling must honour these relationships, not rush, extract or diminish them.
First Stories Collective creates spaces for connection, dialogue, learning and collective action. It is a living network, continuing to evolve through community guidance, cultural leadership and shared responsibility.
The Collective is built on responsibility—to culture, community and each other.
“No story is solely ours—we tell it with our families, communities and ancestors.”
Through Blak leadership and self-determination, we are working towards a strong and connected literary ecosystem in which First Nations stories, storytellers and publishing professionals are culturally safe, properly resourced and supported to thrive.
The vision is old growth, not plantation: slow, diverse, cyclical, intergenerational and deeply rooted in Country. The Collective values care over extraction, relationship over transaction and cultural process over imposed urgency.
“We are not a plantation; we are an old growth forest.”
This metaphor, shared by Wiradjuri poet Jeanine Leane at the inaugural First Stories Collective gathering in Rubibi, describes the literary ecosystem participants want to grow.
The work of First Stories Collective grows across four connected areas:
Gathering and connection
Biennial national gatherings and professional development opportunities that bring creators and sector leaders together.
Opportunity and access
Promote initiatives designed to reduce financial and geographic barriers and connect creators with funding, residencies, networks and industry opportunities.
Visibility and exchange
Promotion of First Nations creators at literature festivals, events, digital platforms and via national and international relationships.
Leadership and sector change
First Nations-led advocacy and guidance supporting ethical publishing, ICIP protection, fair recognition and stronger accountability.
In September 2025, around 30 First Nations writers, storytellers, editors, illustrators, publishers, academics, cultural leaders, librarians, educators and arts workers gathered on Yawuru Country in Rubibi/Broome for the Collective’s first national gathering.
Across three days, knowledge was shared, relationships were strengthened and a collective vision began to take shape. Participants spoke honestly about cultural responsibility, creative sovereignty, colonial load, sector accountability and the conditions needed for Blak storytelling to flourish.
The gathering made one thing clear: this cannot be a one-off moment. First Stories Collective is a commitment to continuing the conversations—growing, deepening and shaping real change.
First Stories Collective was founded to carry this work forward: strengthening relationships, cultural leadership, pathways and collective action needed to reclaim authority over the future of First Nations storytelling and publishing.
Cultural leadership, advocacy and accountability are central to First Stories Collective.
First Stories Collective is delivered in partnership by Blak & Bright and Magabala Books—two First Nations-owned and led literary organisations with complementary experience across publishing, professional development, festivals, events, advocacy and cultural protocol.
Together, the organisations bring strong national networks, trusted relationships and decades of experience supporting First Nations creators. Blak & Bright leads national literary programming, major event delivery and creator platforming. Magabala Books contributes publishing experience, professional development and ICIP leadership.
The Collective’s direction is informed by the Cultural Committee, First Nations creators, cultural leaders and industry professionals. The partnership provides the organisational foundation for the Collective while its priorities continue to be shaped through co-design and cultural governance.
Based in Naarm/Melbourne on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boonwurrung peoples, Blak & Bright is Australia’s leading First Nations literary organisation and festival.
Created by and for First Nations people, Blak & Bright celebrates the diversity, strength and brilliance of Blak writing and storytelling. Through its festival and year-round programming, it platforms First Nations writers, creates opportunities for connection and development, and brings Blak stories to audiences across Australia.
Based on Yawuru Country in Rubibi/Broome, Magabala Books is Australia’s leading First Nations publisher. Proudly Aboriginal owned and led, Magabala publishes and celebrates the diversity of First Nations voices while nurturing writers, illustrators and publishing professionals at every stage of their careers.
Guided by the legacy of its founding Elders and the leadership of its First Nations Board, Magabala works to protect First Nations stories and uphold culturally safe publishing practices.
If you are a Blak creator or a publishing professional, connect with the Collective and help shape what grows next. If you are a supporter, partner or ally, stand alongside us and help build the conditions for First Nations stories and storytellers to thrive.
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First Stories Collective acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which our partners, creators and communities live, work and share stories. We pay respect to Elders past and present and recognise that these lands always were and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands.
First Stories Collective is delivered in partnership by Blak & Bright and Magabala Books, with support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Artwork by ENOKi