***Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article is about someone who has passed***
Indigenous communities, family, friends and the wider community are paying warm and loving tribute to the life of Uncle Jack Charles – Elder, writer, musician, actor, storyteller and activist following his death at the age of 79.
In a statement, his publicist said the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man, who also had links to several other clans across south-eastern Australia, passed away peacefully on 13 September after suffering a stroke.
“Before he passed away, his family were able to send him off on Country during a smoking ceremony at the Royal Melbourne Hospital,” the statement said.
“We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his remarkable life — Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all — as is demonstrated by his numerous awards including this year’s NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.
Below are some of the tributes to the life of a man with a beautiful heart, cheeky humour and endless generosity of spirit.
Dedicated to healing
Statement by the Healing Foundation
The Healing Foundation paid tribute to Uncle Jack Charles for a life “dedicated to healing for survivors, their families, and communities”.
“Uncle Jack was himself a Stolen Generations survivor who was taken from his mother as an infant and spent his lifetime reconnecting with family and Country as shared his life and stories with the world,” the organisation said in a statement.
Chair Professor Steve Larkin acknowledged the role Uncle Jack played in Stolen Generations healing movement, describing him as an inspiration to all, generously sharing his life and stories.
“He was an Uncle to all, and worked alongside The Healing Foundation from the first day, ensuring messages of healing were shared with his beautiful storytelling and endearing charisma.”
The Healing Foundation Stolen Generations Reference Group Chair Ian Hamm said through his own stories, Uncle Jack “shone a bright light in the darkest corner of our national narrative – that of the stolen children”.
In sharing our sympathies and respect for Uncle Jack and his family, The Healing Foundation has paused access to videos on our YouTube channel that feature his voice until the mourning period has passed.
A storyteller and activist
Statement by Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Uncle Jack Charles is widely considered to be the ‘grandfather of Indigenous Theatre’, co-founding Australia’s first Indigenous theatre group, Nindethana in 1971.
He was a ground-breaking storyteller and activist who brought people in with his warmth and grace, never shying away from his past and who he was.
Uncle Jack offered a window for many Australians to see the enduring pain of survivors of the Stolen Generations and inspired people with his strength of character and resilience.
Uncle Jack was recognised as the Male Elder of the Year at this year’s NAIDOC awards, where he stole the show with his deeply personal story that has touched so many Australians.
As the first Indigenous Elder to speak at the Yoorook Justice Commission in Victoria, Uncle Jack Charles was a remarkable truth-teller.
We have lost a legend of Australian theatre, film and creative arts.
An enormous legacy
Statement by Yoorrook Justice Commission
Today we honour Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung, Palawa and Yorta Yorta senior Elder Uncle Jack Charles. He will be remembered as a storyteller for our times.
Uncle Jack was the first Elder to appear at a formal hearing with the Yoorrook Justice Commission and encouraged other First Peoples to come forward and share their truths. Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, said:
“Uncle Jack Charles left an enormous legacy and shone a light on the path towards truth-telling in our state. In telling his story, he gave us hope for a better future – based on truth”.
A survivor of the Stolen Generations, Uncle Jack’s experiences illustrated many of the key impacts of colonisation still felt today. He captivated audiences with his skill as an actor, author and musician.
Vale Uncle Jack Charles.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Community.
A statement on Uncle Jack Charles’ participation in the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s first wurrek tyerrang (public hearings) can be viewed here.
A full transcript of Uncle JackCharles’ wurrek tyerrang can be viewed here.
A caring, remarkable man
Statement by National NAIDOC Committee
We share our great sadness at the news that today, 13 September 2022, Uncle Jack Charles passed after a short illness. 2022 has bought us yet more Sorry Business, having sent another treasured Elder on their final journey.
Uncle Jack Charles was a Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta survivor of the Stolen Generations, which impacted so many aspects of his life, caused him great pain, but also provided him with an endless talent for humour, resilience and an artistic gift that inspired many.
This National NAIDOC Week we had the opportunity to honour Uncle Jack with the 2022 National NAIDOC Male Elder Award. Uncle Jack talked openly about his life and shared his story as the first to participate in truth-telling at the public hearings of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Having overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles himself, his example of overcoming those obstacles and making his life an example of resilience in the face of adversity, made him a role model for so many.
His caring nature and ability to engage and talk with others with that special twinkle in his eyes, lent itself to mentoring Indigenous inmates, advocating with those in prison against recidivism. His personal experiences made him the perfect mentor to talk from the heart and break the cycle.
Uncle Jack Charles was a remarkable man, a beloved Elder, and grandfather of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre, Nindethana established in 1972. He was an accomplished actor, musician, potter and gifted performer. His legacy of over 50 years in Australian arts and theatre, will live on through his canon of theatrical and literary works and his tireless contributions to the Australian community.
Uncle Jack Charles shared: “As an elder, I hope to be a glorious reminder of my people’s culture, our place of belonging, our kinship, community and connection.” That you will forever be Uncle.
Our love and condolences to the family and all that knew and loved him.
Watch this SBS tribute to Uncle Jack Charles following the NAIDOC award.
Advocate for people in prisons
Professor Julie Andrews, writing at The Conversation
Aboriginal Melbourne is mourning the loss of another iconic member of its community – Uncle Jack Charles, wrote Julie Andrews, Professor of Indigenous Research and Convenor of Aboriginal Studies at Latrobe University, in an article for The Conversation .
The article described his birth on the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Reserve in 1943 and life spent retracing his ancestral heritage after being forcibly removed from his family.
His search brought about happy and sad stories that he documented for us all across his autobiography, screen and theatre, she wrote.
Andrews said when awarded Male Elder of the Year at the 2022 NAIDOC week, Uncle Jack used his acceptance speech drawing attention to the prisoners he visited.
“Uncle Jack Charles was a valued member of our Aboriginal community. His commitment to advocating on behalf of incarcerated Aboriginal people knew no bounds.
“Despite the hardships he faced of abuse as a child and incarceration as a young adult, his life made a difference to many others to hold their head up and not be ashamed. We are not invisible, and for this we thank you Uncle Jack,” wrote Andrews.
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