Maybe Tomorrow
MAYBE TOMORROW is the first book that Boori Monty Pryor and I collaborated on. The book is in Boori’s voice, written as if you were sitting down having a cup of tea with him; sharing his view on contemporary Australia, his experience growing up in North Queensland, performing in schools, and being a part of his large and much-loved Kunggandji and Birri-gubba family.
When I first met Boori and we discussed writing this book, I felt privileged to have this opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture and Boori’s family. Three years later, when we finished writing, I realised that I had been learning about myself, my sense of belonging in this country and a way to survive the challenges of life.Cover Blurb
The other day this little one asked me, "When did you start being
an Aborigine, and how old were you when you started that?"Like it was a career path or something.
I just cracked up laughing.
Boori Pryor's career path has taken him from the Aboriginal fringe camps of his birth to the runway, the catwalk, the basketball court, the DJ console, and now to performance and story telling around the country. 'You've got try and play the whiteman's game and stay black while you're doing it,' his brother used to tell him.
With writer and photographer Meme McDonald, Boori leads you along the paths he has travelled, pausing to meet his family and friends, while sharing the story of his life, his pain and his hopes, with humour and compassion.
To feel happy about yourself, you must feel happy about the place you live in. To feel happy about the place you live in, you must get to know that place. To get to know that place, you must ask the people who have lived there the longest, the Aboriginal people. We have the key that can open the door to the treasures of this land.
Awards
Special commendation Human Rights Awards 1998; Short-listed Information Book, Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards 1999.
LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK (COMING SOON)
copyright meme mcdonald 2002
