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Issue no. 47 / May 2022
Dr Blaze Kwaymullina, in front of artwork ‘Universe’ by his brother Ezekiel Kwaymullina. Photo: Cole Baxter
Blaze, please tell our readers about yourself and your career so far. I’m Blaze Kwaymullina, a Palyku man from the inland region of the northwest of Western Australia in the Pilbara, bordering the Western Desert. I now live on Noongar Country. Professionally, I’ve had a varied career. I have been an academic, a published creative writer, and have worked in the creative arts. I have also worked in Native Title and cultural heritage, and for almost 10 years now I have been an entrepreneur and have worked heavily in the Aboriginal economic development space. Even though these areas are different, they’re all connected around themes of storytelling, Aboriginal knowledge, working with community and pushing forward that agenda of people being self-determining on Country. On academia, is there something about education that drew you to that path?
IN CONVERSATION: DR DR BLAZE KWAYMULLINA Reconciliation Australia’s newest board member, Dr Blaze Kwaymullina, brings to the role a wealth of experience and insight. We sat down with him to chat about his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and his rich perspective on reconciliation.
Well, it’s interesting because I had a terrible experience in school. I failed years 7 through to 10 and when I left in year 11, I was escorted off the premises by a teacher who told me I was going to end up a park drunk like the rest of my people. I replied, “Well, at least I won’t end up like you.” My family pointed me in the direction of a year-long Aboriginal bridging course at UWA and it changed my life. I had no idea that this was how education could be: surrounded by Aboriginal people, academics and intellectuals. I did a unit on Aboriginal History, and it ignited a passion in me. The more history I learnt, the more empowered I became. This is why I became a historian, and ended up completing a Masters in Criminology, and a PHD in English.
