EP3: 'The surprising history of Aboriginal people and the Debutante Ball', Nakkiah Lui & Miranda Tapsell

When I say ‘debutante ball’ what comes to mind for you? A bunch of teenage girls, giggling, buzzing with nerves and excitement, dressed in flowing gowns, off to a flash venue, for the night of their lives, ready to debut into society - whatever that means.

When you picture those girls and that event, do you picture them as being Aboriginal? And, if I told you that Aboriginal people have a history with the debutante ball that reaches back to the 1967 referendum, would you be surprised?

Debutante: Race, Resistance and Girl Power is the brand new podcast from none other than the dynamic duo that is Nakkiah Lui and Miranda Tapsell. From the 16th of June, through this audible original podcast, you’ll be able to follow their journey from a teatime etiquette lesson in London, where the concept for the debutante ball began, along a trail to discover how First Nations women across the globe have made this tradition their own.

Nakkiah and Miranda ask: can beauty, poise and politeness actually empower them? Or is it better to get angry and start shouting?

I am absolutely thrilled to say, Nakkiah and Miranda are my guests on todays podcast. As huge admirer of both of their works, to say it was hard not to fangirl on this zoom call I had with them, is an understatement.

In this chat, we talk about the new podcast, feminism, sisterhood, beauty in a black body and why they love working together. 

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If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and share with your friends and family! Read more about the show and find out who next week's episode will feature by visiting our Instagram: @alwaysourstories

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Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories is Written, Hosted, Produced and Edited by Marlee Silva, on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people. We pay our deepest respects to those people and their Elders past and present, whose connection to this place has remained unbroken for over 60 thousand years.

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Theme Music: 'Run' by Tristan Barton

Podcast Artwork: @wuruhi.auaha

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