'Somebody's Land' is the first of five books in the new Welcome to Country series, a collaboration between AFL legend Adam Goodes, political advisor and former journalist Ellie Laing, and illustrator David Hardy.
The introduction reads, "We hope the book will help families better understand the injustices of the past, educate readers about First Nations culture and connection to Country, and celebrate the ancient sovereignty of our first Australians."
Illustrator and Barkindji man David Hardy says the book is direct, but presented in a positive way.
"(The book) educates people on when the white people first arrived, but also tells people about the way we still live," he told NITV News.
"Growing up as a kid I didn't get much education about the culture and the way our ancestors used to live.
"So I think it's good. (My culture) is a really big part of my life and it meant a lot to me."
The title, 'Somebody's Land' is a reference to the British declaration of 'terra nullius', Latin for 'nobody's land', upon arriving on First Nation Country.
Ellie Laing, Adam Goodes and David Hardy. Source: Alex Vaughan
"It's a good way of educating kids. Because growing up it wasn't taught that so it's good... to get the the word out there (so) people understand what it means," said Hardy.
In releasing the book, Adam Goodes said he and co-writer Ellie Lang were inspired to spread more such education.
"Ellie and I saw an opportunity to create something we could be very proud of - a resource for parents and their younger children around Indigenous culture," Goodes said in a statement.
"As a new father, with my daughter now approaching the age where she will start school, I’m so
proud to be publishing a series of books about Australia’s Indigenous history."
The book finishes with the powerful declaration, "It was Aboriginal Land. It is Aboriginal Land. And always will be Aboriginal Land."
