The story 

In My Blood It Runs: History. Learning. Love. Resistance (referred to as ‘In My Blood It Runs’) is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer.  

Based on the award-winning 2019 documentary film, this book was adapted by Dujuan and his two nannas Margaret Anderson and Carol Turner and illustrated by Blak Douglas, winner of the Archibald Prize 2022.  

In My Blood It Runs makes a clear argument for the importance of self-determination in First Nations education. It also addresses the need for reform in school and juvenile justice systems as well as in education policy.

The curriculum resources 

Recognising the book’s educational value, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali team have collaborated with In My Blood It Runs to publish a curriculum-aligned teacher resource. 

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. 

Check out the Narragunnawali In My Blood It Runs Primary and Secondary curriculum resources and learn more about the Wear It Yellow during National Reconciliation Week campaign with Children’s Ground. 

The In My Blood It Runs – Curriculum Links & Conversations with the Authors webinar 

ln Narragunnawali’s latest webinar, you can listen to film maker and director Maya Newell talk about the In My Blood It Runs campaign, author Dujuan Hoosan share his experience writing the In My Blood It Runs children’s book and Carol Turner, co-author and Dujuan's grandmother, as she shares her insights for teachers engaging with the book and her work with Children’s Ground.  

You will learn about the teacher resource as the Narragunnawali team unpacks how it can be used by those who educate or read with children and young people aged 8–16. Learn about the curriculum aligned activities in the resource, and the key themes of identity and First Nations self-determination, captured in the book through Dujuan’s voice, advocating for systems change, and the inclusion of First Nations cultures in learning, prompting educators to better understand their role and responsibility in culturally responsive practice.