L-R: Iris Raye, Deborah Walsh and Winifred Taylor workshopping at Straight Talk 2011. Photo: Anna Zhu/OxfamAUS.
Straight Talk is an event that gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women the opportunity to learn about how to use the Australian political system to bring about broad and lasting positive change.
Over the course of the summit, Straight Talk also facilitates small group meetings between participants and female federal parliamentarians with the intention of breaking down barriers to access and establishing ongoing relationships.
The program is also a significant opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from across Australia to network with each other, sharing ideas and experiences, and forming lasting friendships. Connections made at Straight Talk will undoubtedly be a source of encouragement and support long after the women return home.
Why?
In all our work with communities around the world we’ve seen that women have a powerful ability to work together across traditional, cultural and political boundaries to effect change. Straight Talk gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women the chance to work toward advancing reconciliation and achieving greater justice and equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Straight Talk 2011,19–22 September
We received an overwhelming but inspiring response of more than 300 applications for this year’s summit! Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply.
Oxfam Australia’s third annual Straight Talk summit bought 56 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women together in Canberra. Participants travelled from a range of regional and remote areas, including Moa Island in the Torres Strait and Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory; as well as urban centres right across the nation. The role these women play within their own communities are as diverse as the places they live — mothers, Elders, healthcare workers and teachers to name a few.
Over the four-day event, the women took part in a series of interactive workshops and activities led by a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female facilitators. The women had the opportunity to further develop their understanding of the Australian political system, as well as building skills and confidence in engaging politically through a range of advocacy and campaigning tools.
View a slideshow from Straight Talk 2011
All photos by Anna Zhu/OxfamAUS
Straight Talk participants Lillian Gray and Joyce Taylor meet with Senator Penny Wong at Parliament House in Canberra.. Photo: Anna Zhu/OxfamAUS.
Day by day
Day one saw participants getting to know each other and identifying the issues most important to them, as well as exploring potential avenues for change.
The second day focused on how to use Australia’s political system to bring about positive change and get ideas heard. A session with three amazing female trailblazers offered the women an insight into their journeys of change, overcoming barriers and staying motivated, as well as an outline of their achievements. Later, the women toured the Indigenous galleries of the National Gallery of Australia, before attending a formal dinner hosted by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
Day three began with a formal opening ceremony at Parliament House, co-hosted by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop and Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Issues, Senator Rachel Siewert. Ken Wyatt, MP, the first Aboriginal member of the House of Representatives, also spoke.
The women participated in a Senate Inquiry role play and observed Question Time in the House of Representatives, where parliamentarians gave them a very warm welcome!
On the last day, the women met in small groups with 27 female parliamentarians from all sides of politics. These meetings provided an opportunity for dialogue, identifying common priorities and exploring ways to collaborate in the future.
Thank you to all who made Straight Talk 2011 possible:
The Steering Committee, Oxfam staff and volunteers, the facilitation team, counsellor, mentor and all the parliamentarians who participated and made Straight Talk such a success.
Learn more
Oxfam Australia would like to thank the following organisations for supporting Straight Talk 2011
For many Indigenous Australians, life experiences and expectations are significantly worse than for non-Indigenous Australians on most measures of wellbeing. FaHCSIA is leading national efforts to close the gap though targeted investments, working with local communities, and offering financial and other support to build independence and resilience. The program has funded 10 participants on the program.
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