Naidoc Week 2023 - For Our Elders - Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt proud Yamatji, Noongar Elder, Author and Artist about her latest book, Old Nana Quokka - Caring for Country
Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt is a member of the stolen generations. Four generations of her family were stolen. She grew up under segregation and government control in Western Australia as part of the White Australia Policy and away from her family and without any human rights. She shares her personal story of survival, recovery through writing children’s books, creating art and poetry.
We chat about her latest children’s book Old Nana Quokka and its themes of caring for country, environment and our elders. The beautifully illustrated and crafted book helps younger children to understand and learn about our Australian animals, aboriginal storytelling and how if we look after Country, it will look after us. We yarn about Naidoc Week, and why it is so important for all Australians; the devastating impacts of being stolen; about racism and truth telling. Aunty Rhonda says “it’s hard to speak about and hard for people to hear, but we need to hear.” We need to strengthen our youth and have a strong voice and advocacy for our people. I ask Aunty Rhonda her thoughts on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and what our Indigenous Elders think. Speaking with Aunty Rhonda is always an extraordinary experience. It is full of insights into our first nations peoples, of learning, of stories that support understanding, wisdom and build a strong connection with our country.
Transforming Perceptions
Transforming Perceptions offers a range of views on subjects that may have direct or indirect links to social, emotional and mental well-being and aims to promote de-stigmatisation of mental illness in the community, especially for people of multicultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds. Discussion links self-care and mental well-being with issues including mental health research, health, education, life style choices, or to activities such as gardening, yoga, meditation or spirituality. The opinions expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the Transforming Perceptions team.
- No. of episodes: 95
- Latest episode: 2024-06-08
- Health & Fitness
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