Children’s author and poet Kirli Saunders takes every opportunity to promote the importance of her Aboriginal language and culture – whether she’s running poetry workshops or writing children’s books.

16 December 2019

Shortlisted for the 2019 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for her debut picture book, The Incredible Freedom Machines,she has four new titles on the way.

‘A lot of my poetry has featured language and my picture books that are forthcoming all feature language as well. And I think it's really important adding to our literary landscape with First Nations works, celebrating, sharing and preserving language in books,’ Kirli said.

In addition to writing books Kirli is an established poet. She developed Poetry in First Languages delivered by Red Room Poetry which has provided poetry and language workshops for thousands of students and community members across NSW, NT and ACT.

During the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, hear more from Kirli in our video filmed at the PMLA Awards ceremony.

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