The JackJumpers have found themselves in the midst of another controversy surrounding the design of their Indigenous Round jersey, just a year after they were forced to withdraw a previous design due to claims of ‘cultural misappropriation’.
This time, the accusations come from Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Reuben Oates, who designed last year’s artwork and has accused the club of “creating division” within his community.
Oates alleges that the artist behind the current design, Caleb Nichols-Mansell, was involved in a campaign that led to the removal of his own design one year ago.
“It is deeply painful to witness the same person who sought to discredit me out of jealousy and control now secure the very opportunity that was taken from me through his malicious actions and hateful remarks,” Oates shared online.
“It is critical to understand that this entire ordeal began over my use of dots in my design, which Caleb maliciously labeled as misappropriation. Ironically, he has also utilised dot depictions in his own work.”
“It appears that Caleb and the TAC (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre) were determined to undermine my design and bully the JackJumpers, all in a desperate bid to secure their own position.”
Oates says the first he heard of the latest design was through a phone call from a JackJumpers representative on Tuesday night.
“I was absolutely dumbfounded,” he said.
“All I have tried to do is stand by and support the club … I continue to attend every game and show my support through dialogue and actions, yet the club continues to push in a direction that supports the misuse and abuse of our culture.”
A JackJumpers spokesperson said the club “stands by the process” undertaken to select the artist “that best fulfilled the selection criteria”.
The selection panel was made up of Lola Greeno, Rodney Dillon and Theresa Sainty, who chose the artwork based on the “story of the design”, “quality of the drafted designs” and “the artist being a Tasmanian Aboriginal person”.
“The club understands there are a number of complex, ongoing and deep-set matters that fuel conflict within the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, however the club will not be drawn into further commentary around these issues,” the spokesperson said.
“The club continues to work closely with the Tasmania JackJumpers Aboriginal Advisory Panel, which was established following a thorough review of the process around the NBL24 Indigenous Round uniform design.”
Nichols-Mansell said the artwork to be worn by the team includes the “symbols of our nine nations”.
“I wanted this jersey to reflect our connection to the land and sea, especially the salt water, which has been central to our culture for generations,” he said.
“I hope to honour the strength of our ancestors and our ongoing presence on this island.”
He is yet to comment on Oates’ statement.
