#IndigenousDads – combating stereotypes and reclaiming the conversation
Putting face to the many loving and intact Aboriginal families and engaged and active #IndigenousDads is necessary to reject Leak’s caricature of us, equally we need to find a way to talk about some sad realities beyond the reach of the Bill Leaks of the world and beyond the reach of those who fight with or against him over the top of us.
The Australian needs to continue its constructive dialogue
Bill Leak’s cartoon today does not add to this constructive dialogue. Indeed, it demeans the important role that The Australian newspaper has played over a long time. Contrary to the view that it raises important issues for debate, it has only had the impact of portraying a view of Aboriginal Australians that is, frankly, offensive.
Why another Royal Commission when the recommendations of the last one continue to gather dust?
Last Monday night, the ABC's 4 Corners program directed the nation's attention to the horrific violations occurring within the Northern Territory's juvenile justice system. A series of leaked images taken from inside the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre revealed that Aboriginal boys as young as 13 had endured forms of torture comparable to the abuses committed against inmates of the notorious Abu Ghraib prison.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day has been formally celebrated since 1988, when we took to the streets in protest. In truth, Children’s Day has been celebrated in community, in some form or another, for much longer than that.
Racism is a deep wound in the hearts of my people
I’ve been on a major high since being presented with the Australia Council’s Dreaming Award at the National Indigenous Arts Awards in late May. Last Friday, months of feeling seriously pumped at being acknowledged as an Aboriginal music artist came to a screeching halt – after a racist encounter with an Uber driver.
The juvenile justice system is failing our kids
I have been a barrister now for five years and I have worked in various courts for over a decade. I’m one of only about a dozen Indigenous Australians practicing as a barrister in Australia and during my career I have defended a number of Indigenous children in criminal matters.
Promoting ear health for all Australians
I always knew that I wanted a job where I could help people. I got into audiology to become a part of a team in improving the ear health of Indigenous people. I wanted to be of value and benefit to other Indigenous people, their families and their communities. I too had grown up with middle ear issues as a child and had grommets; this was definitely an impetus for me getting into audiology.
Inspiring local Aboriginal community leaders to talk more about rethinking sugary drink messages
Cancer Council WA has partnered with Heart Foundation through LiveLighter to raise awareness of the significant health problems associated with sugary drink consumption across Aboriginal Western Australian communities.
Recipient of the 2016 Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights
Wow. If you would’ve said to me, when I was 13, that I’d be able to stand up here as a gay man and say that without any fear of retribution – I would’ve like to have heard it then. But to be able to do that today just shows how far we’ve come.
I’d like to thank everybody if I can. The Honorary member for NSW Parliament, Shaoquett Moselmane for hosting such an important event. To the Honorable Dame Marie Bashir for your eloquent keynote address and to the wonderful Natalie Ahmat for her MC skills this evening. Indeed, thank you for the path legends among our people like Dr. Yunupingu; for whom this award is in honour of - and indeed the lovely message this evening from Yalmay Yunupingu, his wife.
The Redfern Statement: Restating our need for self-determination
The Redfern statement, compiled by a collective of at least 55 Indigenous and Non-Indigenous organisations and peak-bodies has issued a bold challenge to whichever party is elected as Australia’s government come 2 July 2016, “It is time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard and respected, it is time for action”.
Hip-hop is my spear, my freedom ride, my tent embassy. Hip-hop is my act of defiance
I’m an Indigenous rapper signed to Bad Apples Music and last week was a pretty huge week for me.
I took over the @IndigenousX Twitter feed for Reconciliation Week and received the Dreaming Award from the Australia Council at the ninth National Indigenous Arts Awards in front of some of the country’s finest Indigenous artists, my family and my partner at the Sydney Opera House.
Sorry, Sorry Day…
These are various questions I have been asked about the whole idea of 'Sorry" over the years. Some of the answers are what I have said, others what I should have said, and some others I probably shouldn't have said, but I did; so, you know... sorry about that.
Q. "Why should I be sorry for what my ancestors did?"
I didn’t understand how special it was to be Aboriginal until I was 17
Here I am at 20 years old sitting in the backyard on a chair I’ve sat on many times before and contemplated many things throughout my life and find that I have continuously asked myself: “What does it mean to be Aboriginal?”
I’ve grown up in a western setting, right in the heart of Darwin. When I explain my mob I say it’s like saltwater meeting freshwater, I walk in the best of two tribes.
My art is a personal antidote for the effects of colonisation
As I write, my first ever solo exhibition, Decolonist, is underway as part of Australia’s leading festival for emerging contemporary art – Next Wave Festival 2016. This project has been the major focus of my life for the past 18 months and I was lucky enough to also take part in Next Wave’s kickstart program, which offers professional development to emerging artists.
Kickstart challenged us to think about where our practice is situated in the society we operate in. We considered our role as artists in the face of major social and environmental issues, ranging from racism and white privilege to climate change.
