In recognition of the impacts of colonisation, and in the spirit of reconciliation, WA Poets Inc and the Perth Poetry Festival are committed to creating spaces that honour Indigenous voices, narratives, and perspectives. Our aim is to foster an inclusive and diverse poetry community that actively engages in allyship, listening, and learning from the traditional custodians of the land.

We understand the importance of representation on our stages and are dedicated to collaborating with and supporting groups who have been historically marginalised. We also acknowledge the need to improve accessibility in all aspects of our operations, from our events to our online presence, and appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to meet best practices in accessibility.

As the Perth Poetry Festival welcomes participants from across Australia and around the world, we wish to extend our acknowledgment to the First Nations peoples of all regions. Australia’s Indigenous peoples possess the world’s oldest living cultures, with rich traditions of storytelling, art, and connection to the land that continue to influence and enrich our national identity. We celebrate the contributions of First Nations peoples to poetry and the arts, both within Australia and globally, and commit to amplifying these voices throughout our festival.

Through our work, WA Poets Inc and the Perth Poetry Festival hope to contribute to a more inclusive, respectful, and aware community, mindful of our shared history and the powerful role poetry and storytelling can play in healing and connection.