Aretha Brown facts for kids
Aretha Brown, also known as Aretha Stewart-Brown, was born on 11 November 2000. She is an Indigenous Australian who is a youth activist, comedian, and artist. She also used to be the Prime Minister of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament.
Aretha often gives talks and speeches. She also performs acknowledgement of country ceremonies. She has done this for many groups. These include the ACTU, Landcare, and Melbourne University. She has also worked with Mission Australia and Triple J.
Growing Up
Aretha Brown was born in Melbourne on 11 November 2000. Her father is Paul Stewart, a rock musician. Her mother, Donna Brown, is an Indigenous artist.
When Aretha was young, her family moved. They went to Nambucca Heads in northern New South Wales. This was to be closer to their Gumbaynggirr family. Later, they moved back to Melbourne. Aretha went to Williamstown High School there. In 2019, she started studying Arts at Melbourne University.
Art and Making a Difference
Aretha Brown's art is inspired by her home. She lives in Melbourne's Western Suburbs. Her art also shows her journey as a young person. Her first painting, "Time is on our Side, You Mob" (2018), was chosen for a special art show. This show was called Top Arts and was held at the NGV in 2019.
This exhibition shows art by young artists. It explores important topics of today.
Aretha also creates street art and murals. Her Indigenous art is shown around the world. You can see it in the Australian Consulate in New York City. It is also displayed in the Australian Embassy in Delhi.
In 2014, Aretha was chosen to visit Turkey. She went for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. She represented the Australian State of Victoria. This trip honored the Indigenous soldiers who fought in World War 1.
In 2017, Aretha spoke at a protest in Melbourne. About 50,000 people were there on Australia Day. It was an Invasion Day rally. She asked for the date of the national holiday to be changed. She has spoken at other marches since then. These include the 2018 march and NAIDOC Week events.
Aretha also went to the National Youth Parliament in Canberra. There, 60 young people chose her. She became the first female Indigenous Youth Prime Minister of Australia. In this role, she met important leaders. These included Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition leader Bill Shorten. She also met the Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove. Tim Watts, her local Member of Parliament, praised her achievements.
She has appeared on ABC Radio Melbourne. She was also on the national ABC News Breakfast show. She has spoken on NITV about her work. In 2017, Aretha was in an ABC TV show. It was called Advice to My Twelve Year Old Self. This show featured Australia's female leaders.
