Straight Talk
Straight Talk 2010 participants outside Parliament House. Photo: Lara McKinley/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 program, 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.
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 2010
The 2010 event brought together 55 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, aged 19 to 61, from urban, rural and remote communities across Australia.
Straight Talk in the news
A diverse and dynamic group, the participants included a woman who wants to be the first Indigenous Prime Minister, a woman who is spearheading an anti-violence campaign in her community, and others who are helping people deal with chronic health issues or kick-starting mentoring programs to inspire Aboriginal youths.
The women participated in a 4-day program led by a team of highly skilled Indigenous facilitators, which gave opportunities for relationship-building, sharing information on topics such as health and education, and discussing how to bring change to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Participants also developed their ability and confidence to more actively engage in political institutions, decision-making and change processes. The program included a range of interactive activities, including a Senate Committee Inquiry role play and small group meetings with 24 female federal parliamentarians from both sides of politics, participants.
I am so glad that I have had the experience to gain information about Parliament processes; meet female members of Parliament; and to know that becoming a parliamentarian is available to all of us.
Straight Talk participant, Glenda Kickett
Other program highlights included an International Women’s Day celebration with Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General, and Indigenous ‘trailblazers’, Mrs Carol Martin, the Member for Kimberley and the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament, and Neita Scott, who has been involved with the Aboriginal land rights movement and issues concerning Aboriginal women for the past 30 years. Participants also visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
“The content and information and opportunity cannot be underestimated”, said participant Natalie Ellis. “Indigenous people, particularly women are confronted everyday with challenging issues and Oxfam’s Straight Talk has provided us with the tools and confidence to face these and use initiatives to make the changes within our communities and families that are needed to improve our wellbeing into the future for all generations.”
Learn more about Oxfam Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's program.
Photos from Straight Talk 2010
Straight Talk supporters
Oxfam Australia would like to thank the following organisations for supporting Straight Talk 2010.
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