Some of us out there have heard about Tiga Bayles. Others may know of him being the voice of Queenslands most successful Indigenous Radio Station, 98.9fm. You can often hear Tiga on talkback every morning from 9am so be sure to switch your dial to 98.9fm for your morning fix!
Today as part of our Yarnin Time Program, Tiga joined us to share a little bit about his own story.
Tiga is a descendant of the Wirri clan of the Birri Gubba Nation. He is a social activist and supporter of Aborginal landrights. He has called Brisbane home now for sometime and has always played and continues to play a very strong role in the Brisbane Community, supporting initiatives, programs and also travelling south of the border to offer a hand and a voice when it has been needed.
He spoke quite personally about growing up in the 60's as a young Aborginal man, living under the actions of an apartied system that was essentially Queensland policy in those times. A time where he couldn't get to ride the school bus because it was only allowed for white children. But he always went to school. it didn't matter that he had to walk, he still went!
The power of educaton was a strong message that Tiga kept referring to. The power to change if you have the knowledge. The power to influence if you know the ways and most importantly, the power to deteremine what you want out of life because you know what is best for you.
Tiga also reflected on the events on October 4th, 1982 where he and a handful of people attended the running of Raylene Boyle's final in the Commonwealth Games. In a time where they could have been arrested, they still forged ahead! And in front of the international media, our colours and our flags flew strong and proud!
It was also a final farewell event for some of the students who have called kuril dhagun home in the past few days as part of the Indigenous Student Ambassador Network Summit Program. It was great to see so many young ones in the space, taking the time to listen to Tiga and hopefully take some of his words into their next jounrey.
I know when I first moved to Brisbane, Tiga supported me a great deal and I have always been thankful to people like Tiga who have taken risks, walked the talk and have always supported the next generation coming through, knowing it will be their responsibility to carry on the legacy.
It was a great way to spend the morning and hope you can join us for the next one!
For more information visit www.slq.qld.gov.au
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