Dear Son 2nd edition: Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons

Thomas Mayo

Jul 2026 · Hardie Grant Publishing

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224

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About this ebook

Dear Son 2nd Edition shares heartfelt letters written by First Nations men about life, masculinity, love, culture and racism. Along with his own vivid and poignant prose and poetry, author and editor Thomas Mayo invites nearly twenty contributors to write a letter to their son or father, bringing together a range of perspectives that offers the greatest celebration of First Nations manhood.

This beautifully designed anthology comes at a time when First Nations peoples are starting to break free of derogatory stereotypes and find solace in their communities and cultures. Yet each contributor also has one thing in common: they all have a relative who has been terribly wronged – enslaved, raped and dispossessed – because of their Aboriginality.

Featuring previously published letters from Stan Grant, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Liddle, Charlie King, Joe Williams, Yessie Mosby, Joel Bayliss, Daniel James, Jack Latimore, Daniel Morrison, Tim Sculthorpe, Blak Douglas; and new letters from Dane Simpson, Kobie Dee, Kaleb Mabo, Jimi Bani, Paul Callaghan and Isaac Drandić.

This is a gentle and loving book for families from anywhere in the world.

Dear Son 2nd Edition shares heartfelt letters written by First Nations men about life, masculinity, love, culture and racism. Along with his own vivid and poignant prose and poetry, author and editor Thomas Mayo invites nearly twenty contributors to write a letter to their son or father, bringing...

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About the author

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, and is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council. Thomas has previously written six books published by Hardie Grant, and has articles and essays published in The Guardian, Griffith Review and Sydney Morning Herald. His book The Voice to Parliament Handbook was awarded Book of the Year, Social Impact Book of the Year and Non-fiction Book of the Year at the 2024 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs).

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Nort...

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