Claire G. Coleman

is a Noongar author. Her books include Lies Damned Lies: A personal exploration of the impact of colonisation and Enclave.

By this author


Culture June 24, 2023

Shadow Spirit

A brilliantly curated Rising festival exhibition sets 15 illuminating works by First Nations artists amid the crumbling grandeur of Flinders Street Station’s hidden spaces.

Culture April 08, 2023

Praiseworthy

A few years ago I camped with my beloved in Jalmurark Campground, in Mangarayi and Yungman Country in the top end of the Northern Territory, near the property about which We of the Never Never was written by white woman Jeannie Gunn, who lived …

podcast January 26, 2023

The case for returning crown land

Author and Noongar woman, Claire G. Coleman on the case for returning crown land.

Comment January 21, 2023

The crown owns no land

“It’s that special time of the year again, when people talk about reconciliation, treaty, land rights, invasion, colonisation and Australia.”

Culture July 02, 2022

Winter at MONA

The winter exhibitions at Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art feature epic works that contemplate the urgencies of our time.

Culture March 12, 2022

Random words: Grand Reign Aisle Zero

“I remember homes, I remember safety, before our government fell, before I went on the run, before the magnate, before they started hunting those of us who resisted. I barely remember how the fall began, how it all ended. All I remember was posters and …”

Comment January 22, 2022

The forever war

“It’s January already. Here I am, writing yet another opinion piece about the 26th day of this month, the day on which the nation celebrates the invasion and genocide imposed on my people and my sacred Noongar Country and all other Aboriginal people …”

Culture February 06, 2021

Occupation: Rainfall

Alien invasion sci-fi has a strong Australian connection. So it’s a shame that Occupation: Rainfall – a local indie blockbuster that does a lot on a tight budget – is let down by poor screenwriting.

Comment January 23, 2021

How political fear erodes Indigenous rights

“Most Australian politicians, particularly those in the two major parties, lack the political will to do what the majority support. Instead, they pander to conservative ideologies, driven by the morbid fear of criticism from a small but vocal minority. …”

Culture June 20, 2020

Prosper, crash, lane, notice

“The city is performing a disturbingly accurate impression of a ghost town and I am trying to impersonate a dead virus particle haunting it, infecting it; like pneumonia in the lungs of the city, when the ghost of a city has no physical lungs. I walk, …”

Culture August 24, 2019

Producer Hooi Ping Angela Flynn

A catch-up at an art fair with producer Hooi Ping Angela Flynn.

Comment January 26, 2019

Bloody Australia Day

“No other colonised country celebrates its national day on the anniversary of the day its invasion, colonisation and genocide began. At the very least, January 26 as Australia Day should be understood as disrespectful to First Nations people. When looked …”

Portrait October 27, 2018

Artistic director Nici Cumpston

A cup of lemongrass tea with the artistic director of Adelaide’s TARNANTHI Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art.

Portrait October 20, 2018

Monica the Tantanoola bartender

An afternoon in the Tantanoola pub, on the trail of a tiger.

Portrait September 22, 2018

Artist Robert Walton

Stealing time and cultivating “radical empathy” with artist Robert Walton.

Comment February 17, 2018

The failures of Closing the Gap

“The difference difference in life expectancy for Indigenous people is 10 years. The target was to close that gap by 2031. The report admits that this critical target is not going to be met; in fact, in the past 10 years, they cannot even claim a one-year …”