Aretha Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aretha Brown
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Brown speaking at the 2017 Invasion Day protest in Melbourne.
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| Born | 11 November 2000 Melbourne, Australia
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| Occupation | Activist, comedian, artist |
| Relatives | Paul Stewart (father) |
Aretha Brown (born 11 November 2000), who also uses the name Aretha Stewart-Brown, is a well-known Indigenous Australian activist, artist, and comedian. She is famous for her work speaking up for young Indigenous people. In 2017, she was chosen as the first female Prime Minister of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament.
Brown has shared her ideas and given speeches for many important groups. These include the ACTU, Landcare Australia, the University of Melbourne, and Mission Australia. She often performs an acknowledgement of country, which is a way to show respect for the traditional Indigenous owners of the land.
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Early Life and Family
Aretha Brown was born in Melbourne on November 11, 2000. Her father is the rock singer Paul Stewart, and her mother is the Indigenous artist Donna Brown.
When Aretha was young, her family moved to a small town called Nambucca Heads in New South Wales. This move brought them closer to their family roots in the Gumbaynggirr community.
Later, the family moved back to Melbourne so Aretha could attend Williamstown High School. After graduating, she began studying for an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne in 2019.
A Voice for Change
Brown uses her art and her voice to make a difference. She is a powerful activist who works to create a better future for Indigenous Australians.
Art with a Message
Brown's artwork is inspired by her life in Melbourne's Western Suburbs and her personal experiences growing up. Her first major painting, called "Time is on our Side, You Mob," was chosen for a special art show in 2019. The exhibition, held at the NGV gallery, featured amazing art by young people about today's world.
She also creates large paintings on walls, known as murals and street art. Her work has been shown around the world, including at the Australian Consulate in New York City and the Australian Embassy in India.
Speaking Up for Indigenous Australians
In 2014, Brown was chosen to represent her state at a ceremony in Turkey. The event marked the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in World War I. She was there to honor the Indigenous soldiers who fought for Australia.
In 2017, Brown gave a powerful speech at a rally in Melbourne. About 50,000 people gathered to protest the celebration of Australia Day on January 26. Many Indigenous people and their supporters call this day "Invasion Day" because it marks the beginning of a difficult time in their history. Brown called for the date of the national holiday to be changed to one that all Australians can celebrate together.
Leading the Youth Parliament
In 2017, Brown was selected to be part of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament in Canberra. This event brings together young Indigenous leaders from all over the country. The other members were so impressed with her that they elected her as the first female Indigenous Youth Prime Minister of Australia.
In this important role, she met with Australia's leaders, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition leader Bill Shorten. She also met the Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. Her local Member of Parliament, Tim Watts, even praised her achievements in the Australian House of Representatives.
Brown has appeared on TV and radio, including ABC News Breakfast and NITV, to talk about her work. In 2017, she was featured in a TV documentary called Advice to My Twelve Year Old Self, which highlighted inspiring female leaders in Australia.
