Riding in cars with Pygmies
As the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9 approaches, I feel deeply connected to this year’s theme, ‘Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.’
Is it ok to lie about identity?
Is it illegal to lie on a job application about being Indigenous? That’s the topic of my op-ed in this fortnight’s edition of the Koori Mail.
Committing offences like impersonating a police officer or committing tax fraud results in serious penalties, falsely claiming to be an Indigenous Australian often goes unchecked and without consequence.
The future of reconciliation
With National Reconciliation Week behind us, we were all challenged with the theme of 'Now More Than Ever', reminding us to double down on the future of reconciliation despite the crushing defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023. The referendum result dealt a significant blow for many, highlighting the need to address underlying issues and create an inclusive and impactful pathway forward.
Inquiry to test truth-telling
Recently, the Queensland Government announced its leadership in its inaugural Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry. The inquiry aims to deepen our understanding of Queensland’s shared history, support healing and contribute to Closing the Gap. They’ll have their work cut out for them.
I’m Indigenous Australian, and I work for a mining company
Being in mining was never part of my plan. As a young boy, I dreamed of becoming a priest with a pilot’s license, living and working in remote Australian communities. I got an advertising degree, joined the foreign service, and spent five years working for the government, including three years as a junior diplomat in Samoa. But I never really fit in. I resigned from the foreign service in January 1999, when I was 27, and returned to my hometown, the remote and dusty mining town of Mount Isa in outback Australia.
