A new children’s literature award celebrating books written by First Nations authors and illustrators, announced on Monday, aims to highlight the stories and stewardship of this country by Indigenous Australians.

The shortlist of seven books for the inaugural Karajia Award for Children’s Literature, launched by the Wilderness Society includes former AFL footballer Adam Goodes’ children’s book, Somebody’s Land: Welcome to Our Country, written with Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy. Other shortlisted authors include Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr for The River, and Boori Monty Pryor and Rita Sinclair for The Story Doctors.

“In Mirning culture, Karajia is a holder and teller of stories, some carried from when the world was young,” said Matt Brennan, Wilderness Society CEO.

“Senior Elder of the Mirning people Uncle Bunna Lawrie is a Karajia [and a competition judge]. I can’t express my gratitude enough for him allowing us to use the word Karajia to name the award,” Brennan said.

The panel of all-Indigenous judges for the new award included Lawrie and the manager of cultural education for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Corrina Eccles, as well as Corey Tutt, founder of DeadlyScience.

This new award joins the Wilderness Society’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature, which has been running for 28 years, and this year attracted over 85 entrants.

“Over the last several years we noticed that more and more First Nations authored and/or illustrated books were being submitted, that didn’t always align with the purely nature criteria of our other awards, so we wanted to create an award that would specifically celebrate these stories,” said Brennan.