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Black chicks talking

Leah Purcell

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Nov 12, 2010 Velvetink rated it really liked it

Shelves: women-s-studies, australia-new-zealand, indigenous-australia, australian-nz-women

This book had me crying in parts, some of the material was so powerful, connecting with the sense of loss of culture and the empty feeling of not belonging anywhere. Was co-incidental I read it just before NAIDOC Week which celebrates this year the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament.

In August 1963, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land sent two bark petitions – framed by traditional ochre paintings of clan designs – to t This book had me crying in parts, some of the material was so powerful, connecting with the sense of loss of culture and the empty feeling of not belonging anywhere. Was co-incidental I read it just before NAIDOC Week which celebrates this year the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament.

In August 1963, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land sent two bark petitions – framed by traditional ochre paintings of clan designs – to the Australian House of Representatives.

The petitions protested the Commonwealth’s granting of mining rights on land excised from Arnhem Land reserve and sought the recognition by the Australian Parliament of the Yolngu peoples’ traditional rights and ownership of their lands..

Today, we look to a future that better understands and celebrates the unique connection that Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander’s share to country, as we continue to build an Australia that reflects the achievements and furthers the aspirations of our people, and I feel the book "Black Chicks Talking" helps further those aims and gives some representation to the variety of some Aboriginal women's achievements and how diverse we all are.

In Black Chicks Talking nine young Aboriginal women, successful in a variety of professions, tell their stories to Leah Purcell. These are diverse stories from women of surprisingly different backgrounds. Some have achieved success in the white fella s world; others are working to improve life within Aboriginal communities or maintain indigenous traditions increasingly under siege.The book is a journey of discovery for both interviewer and subject, as Leah and the other women explore their backgrounds, aspirations, passions, spirituality and their own place in Australia.

Portraits of the women by renowned painter Robert Hannaford will be a feature of the book.Black Chicks Talking is set to rout the old stereotypes and showcase some of the young black women who are putting their stamp on the Australian cultural and political landscape. Their stories are at once uplifting and deeply moving, some a timely reminder that the wrongs of the past cast a wide shadow.The chicks are: Kathryn Hay (former Miss Australia), Cilla Malone (community worker), Frances Rings (dancer), Deborah Mailman (actor), Sharon Finnan (netballer), Rachel Perkins (film maker), Tammy Williams (youth affairs spokesperson), Rosanna Angus (tour guide), Liza Fraser-Gooda (marketing manager) and Leah Purcell, whose story and opinions are interwoven with those of her subjects.
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Found today 8/2/2013 - 1 of 20 books for $10.

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I've read extracts of this online ~ impressed~ & been waiting for my local library to get it in. They have now, so hoping I can find time this week to get it. :) ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 06, 2009 Rhi1981 marked it as to-read

Sep 19, 2014 Cian marked it as to-read

Shelves: australian, indigenous

May 06, 2017 Katya marked it as to-read

Shelves: indigenous-australian-autobiographi

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