Published Paper Details:

This paper critically examines the memoir Auntie Rita by Rita and Jackie Huggins, foregrounding its significance as a testimony of Aboriginal resilience, cultural continuity, and political activism in the face of colonial oppression. Through an exploration of themes such as forced displacement, racial discrimination, the Stolen Generations, kinship structures, and spiritual connection to land, the study highlights the memoir as a powerful counter-discourse to colonial historiography. It argues that language, storytelling, and intergenerational memory become instruments of reclaiming identity and dignity for Indigenous Australians. The narrative offers profound insights into Aboriginal communal ethics, egalitarian values, and the struggle for socio-political self-determination, contrasting them with the exploitative, paternalistic attitudes of colonial authorities. Ultimately, the memoir demonstrates how Indigenous women like Rita Huggins transform personal trauma into collective empowerment, reshaping postcolonial discourse and advocating for cultural integration over assimilation. The paper underscores the urgency of acknowledging Indigenous epistemologies in shaping contemporary democratic societies.