Indigenous writers to take part in festival

Indigenous writers from Adelaide and Seattle – two of Christchurch’s Sister Cities – will take part in this year’s Word Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival.

Ali Cobby Eckermann from Adelaide and Elissa Washuta from Seattle are being assisted by the Sister City Programme to travel to Christchurch for a Sister Cities/First Nations panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing indigenous writers.

Christchurch writer Nic Low.

They will joined for the panel discussion by Nic Low, a Christchurch writer of Ngai Tahu and Pakeha descent who writes about place, race, culture, politics and earthquakes.

Seattle writer Elissa Washuta.

Ali Cobby Eckermann’s first collection little bit long time was written in the desert and launched her literary career in 2009.

Her works have been published in various languages and she has travelled widely to showcase Aboriginal poetry overseas.

Elissa Washuta is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and a writer of personal essays and memoirs. She is the author of two books, Starvation Mode and My Body Is a Book of Rules, which was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award.

Adelaide writer Ali Cobby Eckermann.

They will take part in the panel discussion at the Christchurch Art Gallery on Sunday, August 28 from 12.30 to 1.30pm. Entry is free.

The Word Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival runs from August 24 to 28. View the full programme. Tickets are on sale from 7pm on Tuesday July 5.