Summary: "June Oscar on First Nations Gender Justice"

A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard
Date: November 20, 2024
Guest: Dr. June Oscar
Host: Julia Gillard

Episode Overview

In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Julia Gillard sits down with Dr. June Oscar, a trailblazing Bunnabar woman and leader in First Nations gender justice. The conversation traces Dr. Oscar’s remarkable journey from a cattle property in remote Western Australia to her pivotal roles as Social Justice Commissioner and head of the First Nations Gender Justice Institute at ANU. Together, they delve into the intersection of gender, culture, justice, and hope—highlighting both the historical challenges faced by First Nations women and the pathways to empowerment, agency, and reconciliation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dr. June Oscar's Childhood and Early Role Models

[02:17–07:34]

• Dr. Oscar shares her beginnings in Fitzroy Crossing, growing up among strong women—her mother and grandmother—and speaks about their role as her first teachers.
  • “They were my first teachers, they taught me everything I know and my first language is Ponoba, then having to learn English later on.” [05:40]
• Describes the gendered division of upbringing in her community, where grandmothers and mothers play a central part until boys reach an age for ceremonial transition to manhood.

2. The Pain and Resilience of Early Educational Separation

[07:34–12:39]

• Dr. Oscar recounts the trauma and confusion of being removed from her family at age five to attend a mission school 80 km from home.
  • “I cried and cried and cried all through the night.” [08:26]
• Developed friendships and support networks with other girls in the dormitory, eventually finding comfort through collective resilience.
• Reflects on the importance of education and dedicated teachers, notably John Newman, who fought for Aboriginal children’s right to quality schooling:
  • “Thank God I can read... Thank God we had the types of teachers who fought for our right to an education.” [10:51]

3. Early Aspirations, Gendered Expectations, and First Jobs

[12:39–15:21]

• Childhood ambitions modeled on the domestic labour roles of women in her family, not yet viewed through the lens of inequality.
  • “I didn’t see it in its inequality and injustice. I just thought, oh, well, I want to do that. I want to be like them.” [13:30]
• Later discovers a knack and enjoyment for office work, leading to her first jobs as a telephonist and typist for government and Aboriginal Legal Services.

4. Entry into Leadership and Representing Community

[15:21–20:28]

• Humorous anecdote about hanging up on the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, thinking a job offer was a prank.
  • “Hi, it’s Robert Tickner... and I just thought, oh, yeah, this is someone having a go.” [16:57]
• Consults community elders before accepting a role on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), underscoring her commitment to community authority.
  • “I need to go and talk to some people before I can give you an answer.” [18:29]

5. The Thread Connecting Diverse Roles: Country, Culture, and Bridging Worlds

[20:28–25:29]

• Dr. Oscar weaves her experiences as a filmmaker, cattle company director, activist, and public servant into a narrative centered on connection to country and culture.
  • “We have occupied this space since time immemorial through our ancestors. We are part of the continuous civilization, the oldest continuous civilization on Earth, and we have an important contribution to make...” [23:55]
• Stresses the importance of holding space with integrity and fostering better relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

6. The Women’s Voices Report: A Nation-Spanning Listening Exercise

[25:29–33:17]

• As Social Justice Commissioner, Dr. Oscar traveled to around 50 communities, taking 300 flights and gathering perspectives from thousands of women across urban, regional, and remote Australia.
• Strove for inclusivity, notably engaging “gender diverse mob” (including Sistergirls) for the first time in a national engagement process on women:
  • “This is the first time ever we’ve been included in an international engagement process that’s focused on women, and I was just so sad to hear that...” [31:04]
• Women prioritized agency—the right to be co-designers and their voices respected.

7. The First Nations Gender Justice Institute and Peace Building

[33:17–38:25]

• Dr. Oscar now leads this new institute to empower First Nations women as peacebuilders at every level.
  • “First nations women can have support, real role in building peace and bringing understandings in such a way that respects individuals... and changing behaviours and attitudes, filling their minds with far more caring mindfulness around how we can do this.” [35:03]
• Customary law, kinship, and shared responsibilities cited as key for transforming and healing relationships in communities.

8. Reconciliation, Hope, and Agency After the Voice Referendum

[38:25–41:00]

• Reflects on the 2023 Voice referendum as a “real missed opportunity,” but remains optimistic:
  • “We are strong, we have to carry hope and hope gives us the ability to lead, to care and to advocate for our communities. And that’s always been our greatest strength. We never lose hope...” [39:00]
• Champions self-determination, the creation of opportunities, and the building of supportive networks for the next generation.

9. The Meaning of Life and “Little Daily Miracles”

[41:00–45:03]

• Julia shares a poignant Virginia Woolf quote about finding meaning in “little daily miracles, illuminations matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.” [41:00]
• June resonates deeply:
  • “We can and we do find those points where the windows can open to let in, you know, light and fresh air. And that really... drives us to pursuing what we need to pursue next to deliver us out of this space of hopelessness.” [42:34]
• Reasserts the tremendous strength, solidarity, and leadership of women:
  • “If there’s a group of people that’s going to bring real change in this country, it will be through the women.” [44:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We are women who love this land. We are women who don’t fear reaching out and asking for advice from each other. And I think we do that far more easily than the men.”
  — Dr. June Oscar [00:02 & 44:57]

• “Thank God I can read... Thank God we had the types of teachers who fought for our right to an education.”
  — Dr. June Oscar [10:51]

• “Hi, it’s Robert Tickner... and I just thought, oh, yeah, this is someone having a go.”
  — Dr. June Oscar [16:57] (on thinking a federal minister’s invitation was a joke)

• “We have occupied this space since time immemorial... We are part of the continuous civilization, the oldest continuous civilization on Earth, and we have an important contribution to make...”
  — Dr. June Oscar [23:55]

• “This is the first time ever we’ve been included in an international engagement process that’s focused on women, and I was just so sad to hear that...”
  — Dr. June Oscar [31:04] (on engaging gender diverse people in the Women’s Voices project)

• “We are strong, we have to carry hope and hope gives us the ability to lead, to care and to advocate for our communities. And that’s always been our greatest strength.”
  — Dr. June Oscar [39:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening reflection on women’s strength & hope: [00:02]
• Early life, matriarchal upbringing: [02:17–07:34]
• Schooling & being removed from home: [07:34–12:39]
• Childhood aspirations & gendered expectations: [12:39–15:21]
• Leadership, first government role & community consultation: [15:21–20:28]
• Connecting roles: country, culture, and bridging worlds: [20:28–25:29]
• Women’s Voices national report: [25:29–33:17]
• Institute’s work on peace building: [33:17–38:25]
• Reflections on reconciliation, hope, agency: [38:25–41:00]
• Virginia Woolf quote; meaning in small miracles: [41:00–45:03]

Closing Reflection

This episode offers a profound journey through Dr. June Oscar’s life and work—anchored in her enduring hope, deep commitment to her people, and unwavering belief in the transformational power of women. Her stories and insights provide rich context for the ongoing struggle and progress toward gender justice and reconciliation in Australia, and serve as an inspiration for listeners seeking to understand the vital role of First Nations women in shaping a fairer society.