(Part 2 of 2) Gender and Ethnic Equality - with Marijke Bassani Artwork

Time to Listen

Ever since the Federation of Australia, a plethora of politicians, academics and media personalities have opined and commentated on Indigenous Australian affairs. But amongst the discourse, whether it be formalised debate or discordant blither, one voice has been notably absent: the collective voice of First Nations people. As of 2020, First Nations peoples comprise just 3.3% of the Australian population. Yet they represent 29% of the incarcerated Australian population, including an estimated 46% of the incarcerated juvenile population. First Nations children also represent approximately 37% of Australian children in foster care. They suffer a suite of disparate mortality statistics and morbidity factors in comparison to the non-Indigenous population. They also enjoy far less participation in home ownership, education attainment and leadership positions, and even as all these gaps begin to show signs of narrowing, other contemporary socioeconomic gaps begin to yawn. Are First Nations voices being heard on such matters? Have you heard them? This is Time to Listen, a podcast that gives a space and a platform to the First Nations voices of the Cape York Peninsula, and wider Australia. Whether you are passionate about racial equality, or simply curious about First Nations culture (and anything in between) this is the podcast for you. Want to know more about the diversity of Indigenous Australian languages? Think you understand Native Title? How have First Nations communities educated their children since before colonisation, and how are these methods being rediscovered? And which terminology is respectful and correct for which occasion, First Nations, Indigenous, or Aboriginal Australian? Realising true harmony between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian people and culture requires opening a space and raising a platform for First Nations peoples themselves. By taking the time to listen, you have already taken a very important step towards reconciliation.

All Episodes

Time to Listen

(Part 2 of 2) Gender and Ethnic Equality - with Marijke Bassani

November 23, 2021 • Cape York Partnership • Season 1 • Episode 16

"Many non-Indigenous people will have just one negative experience with a First Nations person, and then write off an entire community that is so inherently diverse. But Indigenous people are expected to continually remain open minded about non-Indigenous people and to continue to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but it's really difficult to that when it's not returned." - Marijke Bassani

What are the misconceptions that exist regarding Indigenous people? How can a non-Indigenous person be a strong ally to Indigenous people? How has intergenerational trauma impeded upon Indigenous people's opportunity to flourish?

On this week's episode of the Time to Listen podcast, we proceed with the second part of our interview with human rights lawyer and CYLP alumna Marijke Bassani. Marijke is a First Nations woman from Cape York who is an advocate for gender and ethnic equality. She is currently completing PhD research in that space, particularly focusing on the rights of LGBTQI+ Indigenous people.

Marijke continues to explain the modern state of racism in Australia that is directed toward Indigenous people. She describes how this manifests as behaviour and misconceptions in the workplace, online and in the community, and gives examples of how she has been acutely impacted by it.

Marijke outlines what it means to be a true ally to Indigenous people and Indigenous culture, and what a false alliance looks like. She explains how intergenerational trauma has played a disruptive role in Indigenous culture, and how mental illness has impeded upon her life and the lives of many Indigenous people. She then describes the importance of seeking professional help to resolve such matters.

Marijke gives her opinion on whether or not there are a sufficient amount of role models for Indigenous youth. She then identifies a lack of diversity in Indigenous public figures and explain the detrimental effects of this.

Marijke concludes our discussion with the advice she would give to her younger self with the benefit of hindsight.

Thank you for taking the time to listen.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Have you felt distressed or triggered in some other way as a result of this podcast episode?
You can find support through:

Call 000 if you feel like your life, or the life of someone else, is threatened
Lifeline - 13 11 14 - crisis support and suicide prevention
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 - mental wellbeing support service

Have you listened to the special 'Or Sisters' episode of Time to Listen? You can find it here:
https://bit.ly/TTL-SPECIAL-OUR-SISTERS-APPLE (Apple Podcasts)
https://bit.ly/TTL-special-our-sisters-spotify (Spotify podcasts)

Support the show