This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/13/indigenous-x-rhoda-roberts
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Five questions to Rhoda Roberts: this week on IndigenousX | Five questions to Rhoda Roberts: this week on IndigenousX |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX Twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we're inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they're passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week. | Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX Twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we're inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they're passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week. |
| Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what do you do? | Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what do you do? |
| I am a Bundjalung/Widjabul woman from the north coast of NSW. I come from a very strong political mission family; my father was instrumental with the milestones such as the 67 Referendum, FCAATSI and the establishment of the Koori Mail to name a few. This blood runs through my veins. | |
| I have worked in the arts and creative industries for decades and across many fields: TV radio, press, music, opera, theatre. Currently I am head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House, the creative director at VIBE Australia, and about to launch a new Indigenous multi-arts festival called the Boomerang Festival this October's long weekend. In between all that, I am guest curator at Queensland Performing Arts Centre and have recently been commissioned to write and direct a new Australian opera for Opera Australia following the success of my 2012 production Yarrabah the Musical. | I have worked in the arts and creative industries for decades and across many fields: TV radio, press, music, opera, theatre. Currently I am head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House, the creative director at VIBE Australia, and about to launch a new Indigenous multi-arts festival called the Boomerang Festival this October's long weekend. In between all that, I am guest curator at Queensland Performing Arts Centre and have recently been commissioned to write and direct a new Australian opera for Opera Australia following the success of my 2012 production Yarrabah the Musical. |
| I modestly yet proudly credit myself for introducing the term "Welcome to country" and establishing protocol manuals by local custodians for the arts industry during the 1980s. Many know me for my work at Garma and also The Dreaming Festival that I established back in 1995. All my work has led me to this point: creating and launching the Boomerang Festival. I invite all to come and immerse themselves in a three day fest of entertainment and cultural enlightenment. The line up of artists, and the opportunity for cultural engagement is of a quality and quantity never before seen in this part of the country. | I modestly yet proudly credit myself for introducing the term "Welcome to country" and establishing protocol manuals by local custodians for the arts industry during the 1980s. Many know me for my work at Garma and also The Dreaming Festival that I established back in 1995. All my work has led me to this point: creating and launching the Boomerang Festival. I invite all to come and immerse themselves in a three day fest of entertainment and cultural enlightenment. The line up of artists, and the opportunity for cultural engagement is of a quality and quantity never before seen in this part of the country. |
| What do you plan to talk about on @Indigenous this week? | What do you plan to talk about on @Indigenous this week? |
| The inaugural Boomerang Festival, of course – it is my passion, and I believe it's essential for cultural maintenance; it stands for what unification means for the sovereign peoples of Australia and all of this beautiful country that we all call home. | |
| What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing? | What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing? |
| Assimilation is on the top of the list for me at this time in history. Recognition of our practicing Cultural Knowledge Keepers is also top of my mind right now. | Assimilation is on the top of the list for me at this time in history. Recognition of our practicing Cultural Knowledge Keepers is also top of my mind right now. |
| Who are your role models, and why? | Who are your role models, and why? |
| My family, Joseph Skrzynski AO, John Morse OAM, Djon Mundine OAM, poet Oodgerooo Noonuccal, Lowitja O'Donoghue and all cultural knowledge keepers. Lydia Miller, head of the Australia Council for the Arts; Peter Noble, festival producer Boomerang Festival. All of these people have pioneering spirits and influenced me in their own very many different ways. They all share a visionary outlook and without them we would not be were we are right now. Their energy has imbued mine and empowered me in my life. | My family, Joseph Skrzynski AO, John Morse OAM, Djon Mundine OAM, poet Oodgerooo Noonuccal, Lowitja O'Donoghue and all cultural knowledge keepers. Lydia Miller, head of the Australia Council for the Arts; Peter Noble, festival producer Boomerang Festival. All of these people have pioneering spirits and influenced me in their own very many different ways. They all share a visionary outlook and without them we would not be were we are right now. Their energy has imbued mine and empowered me in my life. |
| What are your hopes for the future? | What are your hopes for the future? |
| I have many but for now, I wish that our professional artists are given the same equality, exposure and respect currently allocated to sports stars. That Indigenous culture is reflected across the Australian mainstream and is part and parcel of the nations psyche. I would also wish for refugees to be given a voice and humanised in our collective consciousness. | I have many but for now, I wish that our professional artists are given the same equality, exposure and respect currently allocated to sports stars. That Indigenous culture is reflected across the Australian mainstream and is part and parcel of the nations psyche. I would also wish for refugees to be given a voice and humanised in our collective consciousness. |