Rulla Kelly-Mansell urged the JackJumpers to withdraw its Indigenous Round Jersey
The JackJumpers have withdrawn the Indigenous round jerseys players were set to wear this weekend, after plagiarism concerns were raised about the design.
Tasmania
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The JackJumpers will no longer use the jersey the club had planned to be worn at its Indigenous round, after concerns were raised about the artwork used.
Aboriginal Tasmanian man and former TSL player Rulla Kelly-Mansell said the use of dot art on the jersey misrepresented palawa-pakana art techniques.
He said using the dot art was plagiarising a technique from another Aboriginal culture.
“Dot art isn’t a part of palawa-pakana culture,” Mr Kelly-Mansell told the Mercury on Tuesday afternoon.
“I made the organisation aware and was contacted by the CEO to set up a meeting.
“I was basically told that they stand by their decision, based on the artist’s ancestral claim, that they can justify supporting this because they support the artist.”
Mr Kelly-Mansell had called for the club to instead wear its home jersey on the weekend.
He said there also needed to be improved consultation with the Aboriginal community.
“From that point we should start looking at a process that engages with the community in a genuine sense,” he said.
“I’m a big JackJumpers supporter, it doesn’t feel nice calling out the club you support … I still have faith the JackJumpers can make the right decision and we can move forward together.”
Late on Tuesday afternoon, in response to questions from the Mercury, JackJumpers released a statement that it had reconsidered.
“The club is committed to uniting the community and as such, the NBL and the Tasmania JackJumpers have decided the club will not wear the jersey this weekend and it will not be available for sale,” the club said in the statement.
“The JackJumpers will proceed with other Indigenous Round activities and celebrations before and during the game.
“It was never the club’s intention to cause division within the broader Tasmanian Aboriginal community and it apologises if members of the community have been affronted by the artwork’s style.”
The club said it would consult with the Aboriginal community in the future.
“The club acknowledges there should have been further consultation with the Aboriginal community throughout the selection and artistry process, and it will continue to work closely with the TAC and broader Tasmanian Aboriginal community moving forward,” the club said.
“The JackJumpers have undertaken extensive cultural awareness education having previously worked with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the Aboriginal Elders Council of Tasmania, University of Tasmania.
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