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Burraga Gutya Burraga Gutya i(A33487 works by) (a.k.a. Burraga Canning; C. Burraga Gutya)
Also writes as: Ken Canning
Born: Established: 1952 Queensland, ;
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Bidjara Nation
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Works By

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1 Old Clever Woman i "Old woman sitting by the road", Ken Canning , 2020 single work poetry
— Appears in: Fire Front : First Nations Poetry and Power Today 2020; (p. 120-122)
1 2 Forty Nine Days A Week Ken Canning , 2017 single work drama
1 3 y separately published work icon Yimbama Burraga Gutya , Sydney : Vagabond Press , 2015 8780783 2015 selected work poetry

'Yimbama is the second collection by Indigenous Australian poet Ken Canning, also known as Burraga Gutya. Canning is one of the strongest voices in contemporary Indigenous Australian activism. The poems collected here offer an unflinching examination of the lasting damage done to Indigenous Australia by European colonization and the continuing political struggle. As unflinching and uncompromising these poems are in their protest and dissent, love for country, community and tradition remains central. These poems give witness and insight to the reality of contemporary Aboriginal Australia and demand to be heard. There is wisdom here, hard-won, lived and told true.' (Publication summary)

“In writing I try to cover a diverse range of topics while writing about issues that I have experienced. As an Aboriginal man in my 60’s, I have seen a lot of political deception I have suffered imprisonment and having all dignity stripped away. I have seen our Peoples lost forever in institutions and finally because of this, in later years I was diagnosed with a schzio-efective disorder. I have survived this and live a normal life. Some of my poems reflect my feelings of political treachery, oppression and the mental state this leaves. Yet in the text their remains a love of our Culture and Our Mother Earth. A gentleness survives and overcomes the bitterness. It is important to note that while I am writing about my experiences, I am writing about the First Nations Peoples of this country’s survival against some horrific experiences. In address mental health issues, I was fortunate to be able to write some of these poems while I was ill. I want ALL peoples to know such an illness is not the end and please do not let it define you. I have learned via my wife Cheryl, love overcomes all adversity.” – Burraga Gutya

Source: Vagabond Press.

1 Visibility Zero i "George Street", Burraga Gutya , 2011 single work poetry
— Appears in: All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 153)
1 Sand Urchins i "Who are you?", Burraga Gutya , 2011 single work poetry
— Appears in: All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 79-81)
1 Tree Talk i "Old one tree be talkin'", Burraga Gutya , 2011 single work poetry
— Appears in: All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 78) Koori Mail , 19 April no. 649 2017; (p. 23)
1 Lili i "Our sweet baby girl", Burraga Gutya , 2011 single work poetry
— Appears in: All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 77)
1 Isolation i "Empty corridors", Burraga Gutya , 2011 single work poetry
— Appears in: All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 75-76)
1 Advance Australia What? Burraga Gutya , 2009 single work poetry
— Appears in: Balayi , no. 10 2009; (p. 2) Rochford Street Review , November no. 30 2020;
1 Water Song i "Flat, calm, clear", Burraga Gutya , 2005 single work poetry
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 23 February no. 345 2005; (p. 25) Koori Mail , 15 June no. 353 2005; (p. 28) Cordite Poetry Review , October no. 55.1 2016;
1 Soulful Wanderings i "Rich red earth - warmth.", Burraga Gutya , 2005 single work poetry
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 26 January no. 343 2005; (p. 21)
1 Minimal Movement i "The frenzied deluge evolved,", Burraga Gutya , 2004 single work poetry
— Appears in: Ngara : Living in This Place Now 2004; (p. 83-84)
1 Nameless People i "Not knowing ---", Burraga Gutya , 2000 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Thirteenth Floor 2000; (p. 168) Koori Mail , 3 November no. 338 2004; (p. 22)
1 Mother Tongue i "I, the walking vacuum,", Burraga Gutya , 2000 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Thirteenth Floor 2000; (p. 166-167) Koori Mail , 29 June no. 354 2005; (p. 24) All Ginibi's Mob : Our Voices Collected 2011; (p. 151)
1 My Children i "What do I tell you", Burraga Gutya , 2000 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Thirteenth Floor 2000; (p. 164)
1 Mother of Love i "Her soil", Burraga Gutya , 2000 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Thirteenth Floor 2000; (p. 165)
1 To Kevin Gilbert i "The time has come Brother Kevin,", Burraga Gutya , 1996 single work poetry
— Appears in: Australian Short Stories , no. 54 1996; (p. 92)
1 Two Hundred Year War i "Rise above the corrupt power, of murderous police.", Burraga Gutya , 1992 single work poetry
— Appears in: Refrain : Poetry Review (Supplement to Australian Book Review) 1992; (p. 7)
1 Tharawal Children i "Grow strong little ones, stand erect alert.", Burraga Gutya , 1990 single work poetry
— Appears in: Ngali Ngalga (Let's Talk) : Poetry 1990; (p. 54)
1 Where Truth Lies i "Clouded images, of a conspiritual past fall upon the minds,", Burraga Gutya , 1990 single work poetry
— Appears in: Ngali Ngalga (Let's Talk) : Poetry 1990; (p. 53)
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