About Ali Cobby Eckermann

Summary

Ali Cobby Eckermann reflects on her personal journey as a Stolen Generation survivor and the role poetry has played in her life. Poetry has been her source of liberation, healing, and self-discovery, especially during her long quest to reconnect with her family. Eckermann emphasizes the power of poetry as a tool for self-expression and its potential to transform lives. She advocates for poetry's place in schools, prisons, and society, noting its ability to bring playfulness, empathy, and healing. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to explore the depth and impact of poetry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ali Cobby Eckermann is a passionate dreamer, gardener, reader, and nomad, who loves driving across the country.
• 😀 As a Stolen Generation survivor, she believes in the power of kindness and empathy and advocates for learning from diverse places, not just institutions.
• 😀 Poetry has been a form of liberation and medicine for Ali, helping her navigate personal struggles and emotional growth.
• 😀 After reconnecting with her mother at the age of 34, Ali embarked on a journey to find her family, with poetry serving as a witness to this transformation.
• 😀 Poetry, according to Ali, is undervalued, and she hopes more young people discover it as a powerful genre for self-expression and understanding the world.
• 😀 Ali's success in the Red Room Poetry Fellowship brought her joy and confidence, as the shortlist included many poets she admired.
• 😀 The residency at Bundanon allowed Ali to explore her poetry in a playful and fresh way, highlighting the importance of artistic rejuvenation at any age.
• 😀 Working with school students in an outdoor setting was a rewarding experience for Ali, especially when grounded in Aboriginal viewpoints.
• 😀 Nature, especially the Bundanon environment, is where Ali feels she writes her best poetry, inspired by the natural world around her.
• 😀 Ali advocates for poetry to regain its place in society, encouraging it to be taught in schools, shared in prisons, and respected for its ability to change lives.

Q & A

What does Ali Cobby Eckermann believe poetry can offer people?

Ali Cobby Eckermann believes poetry can offer liberation, medicine, and an avenue for self-understanding. It is a powerful way for people to connect with themselves and the world around them.

How did poetry play a role in Ali Cobby Eckermann's life journey?

Poetry helped Ali Cobby Eckermann during her journey to find her family, especially after meeting her mother at the age of 34. It allowed her to process the emotional changes within herself and learn from traditional healers in her family.

Why does Ali Cobby Eckermann emphasize the importance of poetry in young people's lives?

Ali Cobby Eckermann hopes that poetry becomes more accessible to young people, believing it is as vital as song and music in helping them understand themselves and the world, both privately and in a shared community.

What does Ali Cobby Eckermann think about the role of poets in society?

She believes poets historically held an important place in society, both in Indigenous cultures and other cultures. She hopes for the rise of poets, with more opportunities in schools and prisons, as poetry can change lives.

How did the Bundanon residency impact Ali Cobby Eckermann's poetry?

The Bundanon residency allowed Ali Cobby Eckermann to explore her poetry in a playful and refreshing way, helping her return to a more joyful and less serious approach to writing, even as a grandmother.

What is Ali Cobby Eckermann's opinion on poetry's value in schools?

She believes that poetry should be an integral part of education, especially in schools. She notes that poetry in a classroom without walls—like at Bundanon—can lead to an immersive and meaningful experience for students.

Why is Ali Cobby Eckermann's work with schools in nature significant?

Working with schools in an outdoor environment, such as Bundanon, was significant to her because it provided an authentic setting that fostered creativity and connection, alongside teaching from an Aboriginal viewpoint.

What was Ali Cobby Eckermann's reaction to her success in the [Red Room Poetry] Fellowship?

Ali Cobby Eckermann felt joy and confidence when she learned of her success in the Fellowship. She was honored, especially considering the shortlist contained poets she admired.

How does Ali Cobby Eckermann view the role of nature in her poetry?

Nature is a central theme in her poetry, and she believes it provides the best environment for her creative process. The residency at Bundanon, with its natural beauty, helped her write some of her best poetry.

What does Ali Cobby Eckermann hope for the future of poetry education?

She hopes that poetry education continues to grow, with more people discovering and benefiting from it. She envisions poetry playing a central role in people's lives, helping them through tough times and offering new perspectives.