Tara June Winch: The Yield

The event introduces Tara June Winch, an Aboriginal Australian writer, and her acclaimed novel "The Yield." The moderator highlights the book's themes, including Wiradjuri culture, language, colonization, shame, grief, and healing.

Tara discusses the challenges of writing during the pandemic, noting a draining of creativity and the formation of a creative companionship to keep writing. She then details the long journey of "The Yield," which began during the writing of her first novel in 2004-2005. The inspiration came from researching her father's ancestral Wiradjuri country and discovering a language class, highlighting the importance of language as a link to culture and history. Her mentor, Wole Soyinka, advised her to focus on a smaller, metaphorical setting for the novel.

The discussion shifts to Poppy, one of the novel's main characters, who is creating a dictionary of the Wiradjuri language. This serves as a personal memoir, a handbook for his family to protect their land, and a tool to prove the existence of an Indigenous civilization in the face of colonial narratives like 'terra nullius.' The dictionary highlights aspects of Indigenous life such as agriculture, house-building, and reverence for the dead. Tara reads an excerpt from Poppy's section, emphasizing the power of language and storytelling.

Tara explains her unique writing style, which she describes as having a 'musicality.' She attributes this to her informal background in song lyrics and poetry, rather than formal literary studies. Her editing process involves reading aloud to ensure the text 'sings' on the page, a method influenced by her father's oral storytelling tradition.

Tara discusses the advantages and disadvantages of writing "The Yield" from France, away from Australia. She notes that distance offers perspective and allows the most poignant memories to surface, which then make it onto the page. She also mentions using technology, like amateur bird-watching videos, to re-immerse herself in the sounds of the Australian bush.

The conversation delves into the pervasive theme of shame among Indigenous Australians, stemming from historical oppression, removal from land, and cultural suppression. Tara explains how "The Yield" aims to shift from a language of victimhood to victory. She introduces August, Poppy's granddaughter, whose journey of healing is tied to understanding and addressing this historical shame. She also introduces the Wiradjuri word 'nyan,' which describes August's unique blend of hunger, weakness, and depression, highlighting the inadequacy of English terms.

Tara discusses the complex character of Reverend Greenleaf, a Lutheran missionary based on a real person. She portrays him not as a simple villain but as a figure with altruistic intentions who nonetheless contributed to cultural suppression. His own experience of persecution as a German during World War I in Australia gives him the perspective needed for the novel. The role of Christianity in Indigenous communities is presented as both a source of trauma and, for characters like Poppy, a source of solace and grace.

Tara explains the ongoing efforts to reclaim Indigenous languages in Australia, noting that many records used for this purpose came from unexpected sources like police sergeants and missionaries. She highlights the complex legacy of these records, which, despite being part of suppression, now aid in the healing process and rehabilitation for trauma, drug, and alcohol issues.

Tara details the "Share the Mic Now Australia" campaign, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The campaign was initiated to counter the dismissal of Indigenous issues in mainstream Australian media. It involved Indigenous scholars, activists, and young people taking over social media accounts of celebrities and media figures to educate the public and break the 'echo chamber' of historical amnesia in Australia. Tara emphasizes the significance of language in combating the 'spiritual subjugation' caused by the suppression of Indigenous voices.

Tara shares her personal writing journey, beginning with letter writing and poetry as a self-taught writer. She mentions her unique educational experience with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who introduced her to diverse mythologies and cultures. She also discusses her musical inspirations, particularly Indigenous musicians like Dr. G and Archie Roach, and the influence of French writers like Albert Camus and Marguerite Duras on her concise and philosophical writing style. She reveals that her husband is French, explaining her move to France.

Tara further elaborates on Poppy's role, not only as a record-keeper but also as a 'time traveler' within the narrative, embodying the Indigenous concept of 'dreaming' where all time exists in the present. Through his encounters with ancestors and the land, he reclaims and shares the cultural practices and historical significance of his civilization, providing a foundation for future generations. The event concludes with gratitude and an invitation for attendees to have their books signed.