Jackie Huggins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackie Huggins
AM FAHA
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Huggins in 2018
|
|
| Born | 19 August 1956 |
| Occupation | Author, Aboriginal rights activist, historian |
| Parent(s) |
|
Jackie Huggins is an important Aboriginal Australian leader. She is an author, historian, and a strong supporter of Indigenous Australians' rights. Jackie has worked hard for reconciliation, which means bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians together.
From 1995 to 1997, she helped lead an important inquiry in Queensland. This inquiry looked into how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were taken from their families. Jackie also worked at the University of Queensland until 2017. She helped lead the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples until 2019. After that, she became a co-chair for the Queensland Government's group working on a treaty process. In April 2025, Jackie Huggins became the first Elder-in-residence at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Contents
Jackie Huggins' Early Life and School
Jackie Huggins was born on August 19, 1956, in Ayr, Queensland. Her parents were Jack and Rita Huggins. She is an Aboriginal woman from the Bidjara/Pitjara, Birri Gubba, and Juru peoples of Queensland. When she was young, her family moved to Inala in Brisbane. Jackie went to Inala State High School there.
Her family did not have much money. Her father, Jack, sadly passed away at age 38. He was injured while working on the Thai-Burma railway during World War II. He was a prisoner of war. Jackie and her sister, Ngaire Jarro, wrote a book about their father. The book is called Jack of Hearts: QX11594 and was published in 2022. Jack was treated well when he returned home. This was not always the case for Aboriginal soldiers. He became the first Aboriginal man to work for Australia Post. He was also the first Aboriginal surf lifesaver in Ayr in the 1930s. He was the only Indigenous man to play rugby league before and after the war.
Jackie left school at 15 to help her family. From age 16, she worked as a typist. She started at the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) in Toowong, Queensland, in 1972.
In 1985, Jackie started studying at the University of Queensland. She earned a degree in history and anthropology in 1987. In 1988, she got a teaching diploma in Aboriginal Education. Part of her training involved teaching for eight weeks in Ti-Tree. This town is north of Alice Springs. Jackie also completed an honours degree in history and women's studies in 1989. She studied at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
Jackie Huggins' Career and Work
Jackie Huggins began her career at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 1972. She worked as a typist. In 1978, she joined the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) in Canberra. There, she met many Aboriginal activists. These included Charles Perkins. Jackie was often the only Indigenous woman in meetings. This helped her career. In 1980, she moved back to Brisbane. She worked as a field officer for the DAA.
Around 1984, when she was 28, Jackie became the head of the first women's unit. She oversaw about 50 women. Evelyn Scott, who led the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, was a mentor to Jackie.
Jackie Huggins has held many important roles. She led the Queensland Domestic Violence Council. She was also a co-commissioner for Queensland for the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. This inquiry happened from 1995 to 1997. She was also a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. In 2001, Jackie became a co-chair of Reconciliation Australia. She has served on many other groups and organisations.
She has written many essays and studies. These works focus on Indigenous history and identity. Jackie wrote Sistergirl (1998). She also co-wrote Auntie Rita (1994) with her mother, Rita. This book was highly praised.
Jackie Huggins helped create the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN) in 2012. She is still a patron of this organisation.
Until 2017, Jackie was the deputy director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit at the University of Queensland. Then, she co-chaired the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples with Rod Little until 2019.
In 2019, the Queensland Government wanted to start a treaty process with Indigenous peoples. A group was formed called the Treaty Working Group and Eminent Treaty Process Panel. Jackie Huggins and Michael Lavarch co-chaired the Eminent Panel. Their report, Path to Treaty Report, was shared in Queensland Parliament in February 2020. Jackie said that telling the true history of Australia is very important. This "truth-telling" helps everyone move forward. On August 13, 2020, the government agreed to support the treaty process.
In April 2025, Jackie Huggins was chosen as the first ABC Elder-in-residence. In this role, she guides and supports Indigenous staff members at the ABC.
Awards and Recognition
Jackie Huggins has received many awards for her important work:
- 1996: Her book Auntie Rita won the Stanner Award for Indigenous Literature.
- 2000: She received the Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in Indigenous Affairs.
- 2001: She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for her work with Indigenous people, especially in reconciliation and social justice.
- 2001: She received the Centenary Medal for her great service to the community. This was for promoting reconciliation.
- 2006: The University of Queensland gave her an honorary doctorate.
- 2007: She became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities.
- 2007: She was named University of Queensland Alumnus of the Year.
- 2022: She received the John Oxley Library Award.
Jackie Huggins' Personal Life
Jackie Huggins has a son, who was born in 1985.
She is a long-time friend of Rhoda Roberts. Rhoda is an actor, director, and arts leader. In 2021, Rhoda became the Elder-in-residence at Australia's other public broadcaster, SBS.
See also
In Spanish: Jackie Huggins para niños
