The First Sunrise by VANESSA STEVENS and illustrated by PAUL SEDEN is the first Mbabaram creation story to be published and uses the connection between traditional knowledge and science to impart facts and lessons for children. We caught up with Vanessa to ask about the inspiration behind this book and the Mbabaram creation story.

What sparked the idea for The First Sunrise?

My Dad, Colin Alec Stevens (aka Alick Chalk) was told these creation stories as a youth whilst growing up in the Mbabaram camps of Watsonville, Bakerville and Irvinebank. These stories have been passed down by elders through the generations. My Dad has passed those stories down to me.

What can you tell us about the Mbabaram creation story?

The First Sunrise is the very first creation story. It is the genesis and at the foundation of the creation of the Mbabaram country, lore and language. The large land mass was in darkness and there was no purpose for life for the inhabitants. It informs us of the time before the sun. The Great Creator, Mulungh, ordered Kangaroo and Emu to make the first boomerang and cause the first sunrise. The sunrise is very important as it shows directions. In turn the directions are used to tell time and form the basis of the kinship system. Although, the book is presented in an easy-to-read format and pitched at a child, the cultural knowledge is deeper and is built upon as the child grows.

What are some key lessons you hope readers will take away from your book?

Some key messages are:

• This story has been told for thousands of years by Mbabaram elders

• Mbabaram creation stories are only told in the evening while the youngsters lay in shelter. A small fire warms the shelter. (Just as in the illustration)

• Mbabaram creation stories explain their world.

Why was it important to you to write this book?

It is very important I write this book because I have a responsibility to family and Mbabaram people to share these stories. I also want to share it to other Australians, so they get to know the Mbabaram peoples of North Queensland.

Where did you get your love of storytelling?

I got the love for stories and storytelling from my Dad. I love my culture and wanted to ensure these stories are shared.

As a Mbarbaram and Yidinji woman, what role has storytelling played in your life?

Storytelling has been an important part of my life and my family’s lives. Learning about culture is a life- long journey for me. As a teenager, Dad was aged. I realised that his loss would be significant to culture and language. In 1979, Dad passed away being the last speaker of the Mbabaram language and being the last to have lived in the camps knowing these stories and learning from the elders. It was, therefore, important that I wrote poetry to express the loss of this important man and wrote down Dad’s stories to capture cultural learnings to share to the future generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Stevens is a Mbarbaram, Yidinji and Taribalang Bunda woman, Traditional Owners of the Tableland Region, Cairns and Bundaberg areas of Queensland. She was a primary school principal and an educator for more than 30 years.

See Vanessa Steven’s publisher website