Eileen Cummings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eileen Cummings
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| Australia's First Nations Political Party candidate for the Division of Solomon in the Australian House of Representatives |
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| Election date 7 September 2013 |
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| Opponent(s) | Natasha Griggs (CLP), Luke Gosling (ALP), Todd Williams (Greens) |
| Incumbent | Natasha Griggs (CLP) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1943 Arnhem Land |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australia's First Nations Political Party |
| Parent | Florrie Lindsay |
| Occupation | Policy and liaison officer, teacher |
Eileen Cummings (born 1943) is an important Indigenous leader from the Northern Territory of Australia. She has worked as a teacher and as an officer helping with important policies. Eileen is a member of the Rembarrnga and Ngalakgan Aboriginal groups.
She is also part of the 'Stolen Generation'. This term refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families by Australian governments. Eileen is an activist who works to help other members of this group.
Eileen Cummings' Early Life
Eileen Cummings was born in Arnhem Land in 1943. She lived in the Barunga-Wugularr region with her mother, Florrie Lindsay, and her stepfather, Chuckerduck.
When she was only four and a half years old, Eileen was separated from her family. This happened at Mainoru Station in central Arnhem Land in 1949. She was told she was going for a ride, which made her excited. However, a red truck picked her up without her mother knowing.
After this, she was taken to the Maranboy Police Station. Her new home became an institution on Croker Island. While growing up there, her name was changed. She was also taught to feel ashamed of her Aboriginal identity.
Eileen stayed at this institution until she was fifteen. Then, she moved to a foster home in Darwin until she was eighteen. As an adult, she was finally able to return and see her mother, Florrie Lindsay.
Her Career and Advocacy
Eileen Cummings made history as the first Indigenous person in the Northern Territory to become a qualified pre-school teacher. She also worked as an adviser for the Northern Territory Chief Minister. In this role, she gave advice on issues important to women.
She helped lead the discussions for creating the Aboriginal Family Violence Strategy. She also helped write this important plan.
In the 2013 Federal Election, Eileen ran as a candidate for the Australian First Nations Political Party. She was trying to win a seat in the Australian House of Representatives for the Division of Solomon. She was not successful in this election.
Eileen is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation. In this role, she works to get fair payments for those who were part of the Stolen Generation. On National Sorry Day in 2017, she helped file a legal case against the federal government.
She is also a University Fellow at Charles Darwin University.
