1 Introduction

Melissa Lukashenko is a renowned Australian Indigenous novelist and critic who has been dedicated to writing about Indigenous life since the mid-1990s. She has published 8 novels and numerous essays, winning numerous awards. Her works revolve around themes such as the political rights, land ownership, and feminism of Indigenous peoples, authentically portraying their lives in contemporary Australian society. The critics mainly analyze her works from three themes: 1) the protagonists are mostly indigenous people from the bottom of society, experiencing confusion and perplexity, and ultimately completing the reconstruction and redemption of cultural identity; 2) Pay attention to indigenous women, expose domestic violence and intergenerational trauma, and seek healing pathways; 3) Emphasizing the political significance of land ownership, reflecting the close relationship between indigenous peoples and nature, and defending the integrity of their homeland and land. Readers can deeply experience the culture, language, traditions, and history of indigenous peoples through her works.

Reconstruction and Redemption of Indigenous Cultural Identity

Explored how Melissa Lukashenko reconstructed and redeemed indigenous cultural identity through her works. Anita Hayes emphasized the importance of writing for indigenous writers, while Lukashenko believed that identity stems from inner and spiritual aspects. Her works depict the daily lives of Indigenous peoples, defending their traditions and culture, with the aim of rebuilding discourse sovereignty in the Australian context. In 'Out of Place', the process of constructing and identifying with the indigenous identity of the female protagonist Su Wilson is deeply explored. During her upbringing, she was deprived of the right to understand her indigenous identity, leading to a process of identity construction full of ruptures and contradictions. After dating her boyfriend Roger, Su gradually awakened her feminist consciousness, gained a deep understanding of indigenous communities and cultural traditions, and began to construct her own indigenous identity. However, Roger is not an ideal indigenous male image, as he has a tendency towards violence and substance abuse issues. During her work, Su met two white women named Kerry and Rachel, who became her true spiritual mentors and helped her rebuild her indigenous cultural identity. Through reading the works of indigenous writers, Su reflects on issues such as land ownership and sense of belonging, ultimately understanding and accepting her indigenous identity on a spiritual level. Too Shining "focuses on the growth story of 15-year-old Indigenous girl Zoe, who conflicts with her friend Missy due to family differences. However, inspired by two female Indigenous elders, she gradually identifies with her Indigenous cultural identity. This novel explores the significance of the younger generation of Indigenous people growing up in contemporary Australian cities.

3. Caring for Indigenous women, opposing violence and racism

Melissa Lukashenko is a human rights activist and indigenous feminist who speaks out for the rights of indigenous women through writing. She is one of the founders of the organization "sisters in Prison", focusing on the human rights of imprisoned women. Her work reveals the resilience of Indigenous women and the impact of colonization, exploring the dual oppression and violence they face in patriarchal societies and Indigenous communities. In the 1970s and 1980s, indigenous female writers began to emerge, and Sally Morgan's "My Place" injected momentum into the creation of indigenous female writers. Lukashenko focuses on the living conditions of Indigenous women in contemporary Australia, emphasizing the relationship between women and their families, communities, and society, showcasing women's independent, optimistic, and resilient attitudes towards life.

4. Adhere to the beloved land and home, and renew the spiritual connection with the land

Australian Indigenous literature emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, in contrast to the plundering of land by colonizers. Land holds political and spiritual significance for indigenous peoples, serving as a symbol of rights and identity. Melissa Lukashenko's novel "Talking Many Words" showcases the indigenous people's love for the land and the Salter family's struggle to defend their homeland. Kill Darcy "focuses on the themes of homeland and land, revealing the social problems faced by the indigenous people through the comparison of the lives of the protagonist Darcy Mango. The book 'Mullen Binbi' emphasizes the close connection between indigenous peoples and land, and the protagonist Joe Breen deepens his understanding of indigenous culture in land disputes. In Lukashenko's works, the use of Bengali language highlights the uniqueness of indigenous languages, challenges the concept of standard English, and restores the importance of indigenous languages.

5 Conclusion

Melissa Lukashenko's novels focus on the daily lives of Indigenous people in contemporary Australian society, particularly the living conditions of Indigenous women. Her works aim to help Indigenous women overcome domestic violence and intergenerational trauma, reconstruct modern female identity, and emphasize the importance of land to Indigenous peoples. Lukashenko's novels present social reality from an indigenous perspective, shaping positive and optimistic character images, bringing new perspectives and vitality to Australian literature.