Jamie Oliver apologized after receiving backlash for offending First Nations Australians in his new book Billy And The Epic Escape.
Oliver with his publisher Penguin Random House UK (PRH UK) spoke to Guardian Australia admitting that they did not consult with any Indigenous organisation, community or individual before the book was published. In a statement to the Guardian, Oliver said,
"I am devastated to hear I have caused offence and wholly apologise for doing so. I am listening and reflecting and working closely with my publisher on next steps."
Penguin Random House UK also apologized, saying,
"Penguin Random House UK publishes this work and takes responsibility for the consultation, or what we would call an authenticity read of the work. It was our editorial oversight that this did not happen. It should have and the author asked for one and we apologize unreservedly."
First Nations Australians called for the TV Chef to withdraw his children's book from sale, claiming that it includes a "damaging stereotype of First Nations people and experiences."
According to The Guardian, the book features a subplot centered around a young First Nations girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community near Alice Springs. The book's villain steals her. English characters then rescue the indigenous character and tells her rescuers that she can read people's minds and communicate with animals and plants since "that's the indigenous way."
NATSIEC calls Jamie Oliver's book "damaging" and "disrespectful"
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) called Jamie Oliver's story "damaging" and "disrespectful." They also accused Oliver of contributing to the "erasure, trivialization, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences."
Although the organization has called for the book's withdrawal, Jamie Oliver and his publication company have not responded to withdrawing the book from the sale.
NATSIEC's chief executive, Sharon Davis, said that the book "ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people, raising serious concerns about the cultural safety of First Nations readers, especially young people."
Well-known Australian author Anita Heiss also commented on the contents of the book, saying,
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"There is no space in Australian publishing (or elsewhere) for our stories to be told through a colonial lens."
Other than NATSIEC and Anita Heiss, prominent First Nations writers have also bashed the book, accusing Oliver of contributing to cultural appropriation. The celebrity chef is currently in Australia promoting his latest cookbook, Simply Jamie.
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