Jamie Oliver says he is “devastated” by the insult he has caused Indigenous people after Australia's top indigenous education body called on a British celebrity chef to stop selling children's books. , apologized.
Oliver is in Australia promoting his latest cookbook, Simply Jamie, and has come under fire for his decision to join the growing ranks of established children's book authors with a 400-page fantasy novel aimed at primary school children.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) described Oliver's book Billy and the Epic Escape, which is set in Australia, as harmful and disrespectful, saying that the celebrity was “erasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; He accused them of being complicit in “trivializing and stereotyping.” Indigenous Peoples and Experiences.”
The book features an Indigenous girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community near Alice Springs, who is stolen by the novel's villain.
Oliver and his publisher, Penguin Random House UK (PRH UK), confirmed to Guardian Australia that no consultation with Indigenous organizations, communities or individuals took place before the book was published.
In a statement to the Guardian, Oliver said: “I am shocked to hear that I have offended and for that I am truly sorry.”
“I am listening, reflecting and working closely with the publisher on next steps.”
PRH UK also released a statement, saying they had unreservedly apologized.
“Penguin Random House UK has published this work and is responsible for the consultation or assessment of the authenticity of the work,” the statement said.
“It was our editorial oversight that prevented this from happening. It should have happened and the author asked for it, so we unreservedly apologize.”
Neither the author nor the publisher has promised to withdraw the book from sale, but Natziek said it must be withdrawn immediately to redress the damage caused.
Sharon Davis, the charity's chief executive, said the book perpetuates harmful stereotypes, trivializes a complex and painful history, and “ignores the violent oppression of Indigenous peoples. “This raises serious concerns about the cultural safety of our readers, especially young people.”
In a detailed statement to the Guardian, Mr Davis said the book's depiction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultural practices was “irresponsible, harmful and reflects a serious lack of understanding and respect”. “I am doing so,” he said.
“We call on Penguin Books and Jamie Oliver to recognize the impact of their content and take immediate action to prevent further harm,” Davis said.
“Penguin Books should withdraw from circulation 'Billy and the Epic Escape' and specifically remove all content involving Indigenous characters and cultural references.”
The humorous fantasy adventure novel Billy and the Epic Escape is set in England, but has a subtext in which an evil woman with supernatural powers teleports to Alice Springs to steal a child from a fictionally named community called Bororama. Contains plot. She wants Australia's indigenous children to join the stolen children's press corps working on their land. Because “Indigenous children appear to be more connected to nature.” The adults caring for Ruby, a girl who lives in a foster care home and likes to eat desert bush foods, are distracted by a woman's promise to fund a community project. Kidnapped Ruby tells the British children who rescue her and repatriate her that she can read people's minds and communicate with plants and animals because “that's how the indigenous people do it.” . She also reports that she is from Mpartwe (Alice Springs), but uses the language of the Gamilaraai people of New South Wales and Queensland to describe her life in Australia.
Mr Davies said such errors exposed the author's “complete disregard for the vast differences between Indigenous languages, cultures and customs” and that the book “magically casts Indigenous beliefs and spirituality”. “This is a long-standing stereotype that undermines our complexity and diversity,'' he said. belief system.”
Prominent Indigenous writers also criticized the book, accusing Oliver of engaging in cultural appropriation and accusing his publisher, Penguin Random House UK, of making a serious error in judgment. are.
Cheryl Levy, an award-winning Kuma and Nguri author who specializes in nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature, struggles with her books' themes of child slavery, child theft, and cultural appropriation for personal gain. he told Guardian Australia.
“It is reasonable to expect that authors wishing to delve into sensitive subjects adhere to basic industry standards, including working with advisors with subject matter expertise,” she said.
Dr. Anita Heiss, author of Wiradurri and publisher of Simon & Schuster's First Nations imprint Bundy Publishing, said Oliver's book confirms what she has been saying for years.
“Indigenous peoples need to be involved in every step of the process, from acquisition to editorial, sales and marketing. Only then can our stories be told with the full respect they deserve.” ,” she said in a statement.
“There is no room in Australian publications (or anywhere else) for our stories to be told through a colonial lens by authors who have little connection to the people and places they write about.”
Both Heiss and Levy think the book should be withdrawn from sale.
Dr Jared Thomas, a Nukunu children's book author and research fellow in Indigenous culture and arts at the South Australian Museum and the University of South Australia, describes the principles of respect, consultation and permission as outlined in Creative Australia magazine. Ta. Cultural and intellectual property in indigenous arta bulwark against “lazy stereotypes”, applied equally to fiction and nonfiction, in both adult and children's literature.
“It's really important to get these representations right, because part of what we're trying to do is educate children and disabuse them of stereotypes and misinformation about Indigenous peoples. “You don’t educate by selling,” he said.
“Sometimes people go into situations with good intentions, but those good intentions can go wrong.
“I don’t want to say it, but [Penguin] It should be retracted…but whether they made a serious error in judgment and, if so, what are the implications for Aboriginal children, people and communities, and how? We need to consider whether we can deal with it. ”
Penguin Random House UK said its Australian arm, PRH Australia, had no involvement in the content or publication of books distributed to Australia as part of the global PRH network.
PRH also said that Oliver would not be promoting Billy and the Epic Escape during his Australian tour.
