Behind the News presenter Jack Evans, a proud Gomeroi man, is making waves with his creative T-shirt designs. Each week, he introduces a million kids across the country with the Gamilaroi greeting "Yaama." But this year, Jack has taken his cultural pride to the next level. He's designed a series of T-shirts, each featuring a word from his Indigenous language, Gamilaroi, accompanied by a unique drawing. As the first Indigenous Australian to present the show, Jack is determined to amplify his culture and language, and he's doing it one shirt at a time.
Jack's creative process involves choosing words from online dictionaries and selecting those that will look cool or can be easily illustrated. Some designs are quick to create, while others, like the iconic hairy-legged boots, take time to perfect. With the help of his boyfriend, Joel, these designs are transformed into vinyl cut-outs and heat-pressed onto T-shirts, blending practicality with cultural expression.
The T-shirt project holds a deeper meaning for Jack. Growing up without fluent Gamilaroi speakers, he's reconnecting with his culture and language. His grandmother, denied her identity to protect herself, later discovered her heritage through his aunt's research. This journey has led Jack's aunt and brother to study Gamilaroi, playing a vital role in preserving and reviving Indigenous languages. The urgency of language preservation is highlighted by a 2019 survey, which revealed that only 12 of the 250 Indigenous Australian languages active before colonization are still actively acquired by children.
Jack's passion for language preservation is evident in his T-shirt designs. He hopes that by sharing a single word each week, he can contribute to the survival and growth of Indigenous languages. BTN fans have embraced Jack's designs, with some schools even pitching their own ideas. The show's viewers are not just admiring the shirts but also connecting with Jack's cultural pride and authenticity.
Jack's journey is a testament to the power of representation and cultural pride. He aims to inspire his younger self and others to embrace their identity, culture, and language. As he continues to create these unique T-shirts, he hopes to leave a lasting impact on the young audience, encouraging them to celebrate their heritage and be proud of who they are.
