Jackie Huggins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackie Huggins
AM FAHA
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Huggins in 2018
|
|
| Born | 19 August 1956 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Historian |
| Known for | Author, Aboriginal rights activist |
| Parent(s) | Rita Huggins |
Jacqueline Gail "Jackie" Huggins is an important Aboriginal Australian leader. She was born on 19 August 1956. Jackie is a historian, author, and works to protect the rights of Indigenous Australians. She belongs to the Bidjara/Pitjara, Birri Gubba, and Juru peoples from Queensland.
As of 2020, she helps lead a group advising the Queensland Government. This group is working on a process called "truth-telling." They are also looking into future treaties with Indigenous peoples.
Contents
Jackie Huggins' Early Life and Education
Jackie Huggins was born in Ayr, Queensland. Her parents were Jack and Rita Huggins. Her family moved to Inala in Brisbane when she was young. She went to Inala State High School.
Jackie left school at age 15. She worked as a typist for the Australian Broadcasting Commission. This was from 1972 to 1978. Later, she joined the government's Department of Aboriginal Affairs. She worked in Canberra and then in Brisbane.
Jackie's University Journey
Jackie's son was born in 1985. That same year, she started studying at the University of Queensland. She earned a degree in history and anthropology in 1987. She also got a teaching diploma in 1988. Part of her training involved teaching in Ti-Tree. This is a place north of Alice Springs.
She then studied at Flinders University in Adelaide. There, she completed an honours degree in history and women's studies in 1989.
Jackie Huggins' Work and Achievements
Jackie Huggins has held many important roles. She was a co-chair of Reconciliation Australia. This group works to build better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. She also led the Queensland Domestic Violence Council.
Working for Indigenous Rights
Jackie was a co-commissioner for Queensland. This was for the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. This inquiry looked into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. This period is known as the Stolen Generations.
She was also a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. This council worked towards reconciliation in Australia. Jackie has served on many other boards and groups. All of these aimed to help Indigenous communities.
Jackie as an Author
Jackie Huggins has written many essays and studies. These works focus on Indigenous history and identity. She wrote a book called Sistergirl in 1998.
She also co-wrote a famous book with her mother, Rita. This book is a biography called Auntie Rita (1994). It tells the story of her mother's life.
Jackie helped create the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN) in 2012. This group supports Indigenous writers in Australia. She is still a patron of this organization today.
Leading the Path to Treaty
Jackie Huggins was deputy director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit. This was at the University of Queensland until 2017. Then, she co-chaired the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples. This group represents Indigenous Australians.
In 2019, the Queensland Government wanted to start a process for an Indigenous treaty. A group was set up to advise on this. Jackie Huggins co-chaired the "Eminent Panel" for this group.
Their report, Path to Treaty Report, was shared in February 2020. Jackie said that "truth-telling" is very important. This means acknowledging Australia's true history. She believes this is key to moving forward. In August 2020, the government agreed to move ahead with a treaty process.
Sharing Her Father's Story
Jackie, with her sister Ngaire Jarro, wrote a book about their father, Jack. The book is called Jack of Hearts: QX11594 (2022). Jack was a prisoner of war during World War II. He was forced to work on the Burma-Thailand railway.
Their father was treated well when he returned home. This was different from many other 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.
Awards and Recognition
Jackie Huggins has received many awards for her important work:
- 1996: Auntie Rita won the Stanner Award for Indigenous Literature.
- 2000: Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in Indigenous Affairs.
- 2001: She became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for her work with Indigenous people. It recognized her efforts in reconciliation, literacy, women's issues, and social justice.
- 2001: She received the Centenary Medal. This was for her great service to the community.
- 2006: The University of Queensland gave her an honorary doctorate degree.
- 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.
Selected Works
As co-author
- Auntie Rita (1994), with Rita Huggins.
- Jack of Hearts: QX11594 (2022), with Ngaire Jarro.
See also
In Spanish: Jackie Huggins para niños
