Kirstie Parker facts for kids

Kirstie Parker, born in 1967, is an important Aboriginal Australian woman. She is a journalist, which means she writes for newspapers and other media. She also works to create fair rules (policy administrator) and helps her community as an activist.

From 2013 to 2015, she was a leader (co-chair) of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples. This group works for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Kirstie Parker worked hard to help these communities make their own decisions about their lives and futures, a concept called self-determination.

She has also been part of groups like Reconciliation Australia, which aims to build better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. In 2018, her book The Making of Ruby Champion won a special award called the David Unaipon Award. Since 2017, she has been the Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation for the Government of South Australia.

Early Life and Family

Kirstie Parker was born in 1967. She was the third of four children. Her mother was a Yuwallarai woman, and her father was from London.

Even though her mother, Pam, only had one year of formal schooling, she taught herself to read and write. She did this by reading a book called Anne of Green Gables. Kirstie's father, Roger, also loved to read. Both parents encouraged Kirstie to write from a young age. She grew up in northern New South Wales, Australia.

Kirstie Parker's Career Journey

Starting as a Journalist

Kirstie Parker began her career as a junior journalist when she was just 16 years old. She has worked in many different types of media. This includes writing for newspapers, working in radio, and even on television.

Some of the places she worked include ABC Radio and newspapers like The Tablelander in Atherton, Queensland. She also worked for The West Australian newspaper in Perth. In 2006, she became the editor of the Koori Mail. This is a special newspaper written and owned by Indigenous Australians. She worked there for seven years.

Leading the National Congress

In 2013, Kirstie Parker was chosen to be a co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples. She shared this leadership role with Les Malezer. They worked together for two years.

During their time as leaders, many Aboriginal communities faced a big problem. Their funding was at risk, which could have led to their closure. Kirstie Parker and Les Malezer strongly disagreed with the idea of moving Indigenous people from their homelands. They explained that past attempts to move Aboriginal people had not worked well. They emphasized that Indigenous people needed to have the power to make their own decisions.

In 2014, Kirstie and Les helped review how Australia's Indigenous people were recognized. The next year, Parker met with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. She asked for a recognition plan that would let Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share their ideas. When Prime Minister Abbott agreed, a special meeting called the First Peoples National Convention was held. This meeting suggested changing the Constitution of Australia. The goal was to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice in the federal Parliament. They also wanted a group to help with talks between First Nations and the government.

Working for Indigenous Rights

Kirstie Parker is a strong advocate for Indigenous affairs. She advises on public policy, which means she helps create rules and plans for the government.

She has worked in many important roles. She managed media and communications at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in Canberra. She was also a director at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide. She led public affairs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. She even advised Robert Tickner, who was a Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

Kirstie has also been a director of Reconciliation Australia. She co-chaired the Closing the Gap campaign, which works to improve the health of Indigenous Australians. She often gives speeches about policies affecting Indigenous peoples. She also talks about how media can help empower Aboriginal people.

In 2015, she became the CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, New South Wales. In 2017, she became the third Indigenous person to join the Australian Press Council. Her job there was to advise on Aboriginal issues. That same year, she also became the Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation for the Department of Premier and Cabinet in South Australia. She held this position until May 2021. In June 2021, she took on the role of interim CEO at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute again, until January 2022.

Awards and Recognitions

Kirstie Parker has received many awards for her writing and her work helping others.

• In 2001, she received the Australian Government's Centenary Medal. This was for her work with Indigenous communities and women.
• She received another Centenary Medal in 2003 for her contributions to the Indigenous community and Australian life.
• In 2000, she received an International Women’s Day Award for her service to the South Australian community.
• Her journalism was recognized in 2008 with the Print Media Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission. This was for her article, National Apology: commemorative lift out.
• In 2012, she was honored with the 100 Women of Influence Awards by the Australian Financial Review. This was for her activism for Indigenous people.
• In 2015, she was one of the first women to receive the Australian Peacewomen Awards. This was from the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
• In 2016, Parker was a finalist for the NSW Women of the Year Awards in the Aboriginal Woman of the Year category.
• In 2018, her unpublished book The Making of Ruby Champion won the David Unaipon Award at the Queensland Literary Awards. This award included both publication of her book and prize money.