The Book
In My Blood It Runs (2023)
This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer.
Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it’s wobbly and wild, like a snake. He’s in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there’s something wrong with him. Dujuan’s family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people. So he can be proud of himself.
This book was written over the course of a year, adapted from the film, with the support of the In My Blood It Runs film team, in particular Maya Newell and Rachel Naninaaq Edwardson. Dujuan, Carol and Margie participated in workshops studying children’s literature, writing styles, illustration and then landed on this approach written from Dujuan’s own voice.
Written by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson and Carol Turner
Illustrated by Blak Douglas, winner of the Archibald Prize 2022
Published by Pan McMillan Australia
Book available from any good bookstore and Pan Macmillan.
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Schools Resource
This guide was developed by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Education team, Nina Ross from Reconciliation Australia, and Keren Shlezinger. Aligned with version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. For years 4-10 HASS, English and Health & Physical Education.
How do I use this education resource?
These teacher’s notes and curriculum resource accompany the 2023 children’s book In My Blood It Runs, written by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson, and Carol Turner, with illustrations by Blak Douglas. In My Blood It Runs draws attention to a central theme of identity, especially cultural identity. Throughout this curriculum resource, students connect to the text and explore identity on a deep level and come to understand that cultural identity is something all people have, regardless of background. Through investigating their own identities and experiences, students have the opportunity to build empathy with the character’s experiences and find ways to connect even if their experiences are different. Reconciliation happens when we connect our similarities and celebrate our differences. This curriculum resource is targeted towards those who educate or read with young people aged 8–16. It has been designed as a series of prompts to guide discussion as you read and learning sequences for the classroom aligned to the Australian Curriculum (Version 9). It also addresses key points in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.
