Indigenous role models play a crucial part when it comes to inspiring Indigenous youth in Australian society. The focus of this essay is to demonstrate how Cathy Freeman became a noteworthy Indigenous role model; examining her history and the key events that aided in her success and how these have contributed to Australian society.
Catherine (Cathy) Freeman was born in Mackay, Queensland on the 16th February 1973, to parents Cecelia and Norman Freeman (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Islander Studies [AIATIS], 2015). However, due to her father’s destructive behaviour and alcohol dependence, the family separated and Freeman resided with her mother from the age of five, in various locations throughout Queensland (Australian National …show more content…
The result of Australia celebrating and recognising Freeman’s success in athletics has assisted in reducing racism and developed the advancement of reconciliation (Saffin, 2013). An illustration of this was when Freeman first carried the Aboriginal flag with pride in her victory laps in 1994, using the publicity to explain what the Aboriginal flag symbolised; notwithstanding the criticism and warning from Arthur Tunstall (Freeman and Gullan, 2003). Saffin (2013) states that having an Indigenous role model like Freeman, demonstrates to Indigenous youth that despite being barriers and adversity within society, they can be proud of who they are and overcome it. An example of Freeman acknowledging her own experiences with cultural bias, she shared her windows and barriers to success in society by publishing the books ‘Cathy – Her own Story’ with the help of Scott Gullan and ‘Born to run’, to show Indigenous youth that although there are still cultural barriers within society, if you have a dream there is always a chance to rise above them and succeed (Freeman, 2007). Complementary to this Pascoe (2008) pointed out that when respected leaders encourage Indigenous youth to pursue learning and to reach their full potential it forges a way for all Indigenous people to contribute equally in Australian society. In 2007, Freeman took the initiative and established the Cathy Freeman Foundation in order to bridge the gap in education between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians incorporating and promoting traditional Aboriginal culture. Young (2001) identified that the benefit of promoting and maintaining one’s culture allows people to create and transform themselves in a positive nature giving shape to
Catherine (Cathy) Freeman was born in Mackay, Queensland on the 16th February 1973, to parents Cecelia and Norman Freeman (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Islander Studies [AIATIS], 2015). However, due to her father’s destructive behaviour and alcohol dependence, the family separated and Freeman resided with her mother from the age of five, in various locations throughout Queensland (Australian National …show more content…
The result of Australia celebrating and recognising Freeman’s success in athletics has assisted in reducing racism and developed the advancement of reconciliation (Saffin, 2013). An illustration of this was when Freeman first carried the Aboriginal flag with pride in her victory laps in 1994, using the publicity to explain what the Aboriginal flag symbolised; notwithstanding the criticism and warning from Arthur Tunstall (Freeman and Gullan, 2003). Saffin (2013) states that having an Indigenous role model like Freeman, demonstrates to Indigenous youth that despite being barriers and adversity within society, they can be proud of who they are and overcome it. An example of Freeman acknowledging her own experiences with cultural bias, she shared her windows and barriers to success in society by publishing the books ‘Cathy – Her own Story’ with the help of Scott Gullan and ‘Born to run’, to show Indigenous youth that although there are still cultural barriers within society, if you have a dream there is always a chance to rise above them and succeed (Freeman, 2007). Complementary to this Pascoe (2008) pointed out that when respected leaders encourage Indigenous youth to pursue learning and to reach their full potential it forges a way for all Indigenous people to contribute equally in Australian society. In 2007, Freeman took the initiative and established the Cathy Freeman Foundation in order to bridge the gap in education between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians incorporating and promoting traditional Aboriginal culture. Young (2001) identified that the benefit of promoting and maintaining one’s culture allows people to create and transform themselves in a positive nature giving shape to