Jack Andrew Jans or Jack Wilkie-Jans is an Australian Aboriginal affairs advocate, multi-disciplinary artist (painter and award-winning filmmaker), writer, and politologist.
Jack Wilkie-Jans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jack Andrew Jans August 8, 1992 Cairns, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Jack Jans |
| Citizenship | Australian and British |
| Alma mater | James Cook University |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, journalist, political affairs commentator |
| Awards | Alumni National Gallery of Australia's Wesfarmer's Indigenous Arts Leadership Program, Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society |
| Website | www |
Born in Cairns/Gimuy in tropical Far North Queensland, Jack is a Waanyi, Teppathiggi and Tjungundji man and is of mixed heritage (British, Vanuatuan, Danish).
Aboriginal Affairs
editIn recent years Jack's work as an Aboriginal affairs advocate has increased as both a political commentator and journalist. Known for his commentary of Cape York Peninsula issues, economic development in remote regions and contemporary Indigenous affairs, he is known at times for his controversy in critiquing long-standing Government programmes and their approach to Indigenous peoples.[1][2] He is perhaps most known for lobbying against ineffective Native Title representation "punitive measures" such as the Alcohol Management Plans & Welfare Reform Trials in Cape York Peninsula (a region known for high unemployment), arguing that focus ought to be placed on addressing solutions to the issues of economic ostracisation and welfare dependency.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
In 2014 Jack became one of the youngest board members to be elected to Cape York Sustainable Futures Inc. which was Cape York's peak organisation for economic & community development (formerly known as Cape York Peninsula Development Association); and as Deputy Chair of then-Local Tourism Organisation: Tourism Cape York.[10][11] In 2018 Jack stood down as Deputy Chair of the organisation and resigned from the board. Though, he remains a keen advocate for the economic advancement of the Cape York Peninsula region in his long-standing work as a writer and journalist.[citation needed]
Art and culture
editIn 2023 Jack launched his private consultancy practice, JWJ Consultancy covering a scope of strategy and policy planning within the Indigenous art sector of the Australian arts industry; including artist representation.[12]
Jack is a recognised arts writer, writing for a number of major arts publications, enjoying a regular column (since 2023) with Koori Mail,[citation needed] as a freelance contributor to ArtsHub.[13] and occasional contributor to Art Collector.[citation needed]
A successful visual artist, his film work has also enjoyed industry recognition (winning the Best Experimental Film of the Understory Film Festival awards in 2020 for his short film I'm Still Here).[citation needed]
Other interests
editLinking to his early background in Cape York Peninsula, Jack is also passionate about the development of First Nations-led native food business development and manufacturing. In 2022, he became an founding director of the Food Beverage Institute.[14]
Family
editNotable relatives of Jack include Aboriginal leader, Jean Aileen Little (his maternal grandmother),[15] as well as renowned Australian sculptor & ceramicist, the late Dr. Thancoupie Fletcher James AO (who was his tribal grandmother).[16][17] Also, he is a [maternal] great grand nephew of land rights activist, Denny Bowenda.[citation needed]
Awards
editIn 2013 Jack was a nominee for the Cairns Region Australia Day Awards for the Cultural Award, both for his work with supporting local charities and the arts.[18] In 2015 he was named an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society.[19] In 2017 he was named as one of the Queen's Baton Bearers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[20]
Qualifications
editJack holds a bachelor's degree of arts, majoring in Politics & International Affairs from James Cook University. He is also an alumnus of the National Gallery of Australia's Indigenous Arts Leadership Program.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ ":: NEWS :: NIRS ::". www.nirs.org.au. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013.
- ^ "Call for focus on inmates' mental health". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Open letter to Adam Giles by Stephen Hagan". ISSUU. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ "Noel Pearson's 'social experiments' in North Queensland are failing". 24 November 2015.
- ^ "Focus on jobs, not more talk of a North Queensland state".
- ^ "Newman contradicts Minister on welfare trial | Audio News & Podcast | SBS World News". Sbs.com.au. 2 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ ":: NEWS :: NIRS ::". www.nirs.org.au. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013.
- ^ ":: Young T.O. wants to boost economic opportunities :: NEWS :: NIRS ::". www.nirs.org.au. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015.
- ^ ":: WELCOME :: NIRS ::". www.nirs.org.au. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015.
- ^ Facebook post [user-generated source]
- ^ Board memberscysf.com.au Archived 12 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "JWJ Consultancy". Jack WilkieJans. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Jack Wilkie-Jans, Author at ArtsHub Australia". www.artshub.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Joanne Walters posted on LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Jean Little OAM - Australian of the Year". Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "Biography - Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James - Indigenous Australia".
- ^ "20 inspiring black women who have changed Australia". 6 March 2015.
- ^ "Entertainment". Cairns Post. 28 November 2023.
- ^ International Networksthercs.org Archived 12 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Find out who's carrying the baton from FNQ". The Cairns Post. 17 October 2017.