In My Blood It Runs: Dujuan Hoosan’s story is powerful

Dujuan Hoosan, a 16-year-old from Alice Springs, has faced many challenges and experienced remarkable triumphs throughout his life. In his book based on the 2020 documentary film of the same name, In My Blood It Runs, he tells about some of his life experiences growing up in Sandy Bore outstation and Hidden Valley town camp, near Alice Springs in central Australia.

The newly released book echoes the struggles Dujuan faced, especially while attending school. He constantly lived under the fear of being taken away from his family and even faced the threat of incarceration (going to jail). Fortunately, his family provided him with a safe environment.

In September 2019, at just 12 years old, Dujuan made history by becoming the youngest person to speak in front of world leaders at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Accompanied by his grandmother and father, he travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to share his personal experiences within the youth justice system. Through his heartfelt address at the United Nations, Dujuan called for change. He emphasized the need for Aboriginal people to be in charge of their own education and pleaded for an end to the mistreatment of 10-year-old children in prisons. Above all, he expressed his desire to have a future deeply rooted in land, culture and language.

Dujuan also wanted to support Aboriginal-led education models. In his speech, he expressed his frustration with the Australian government, stating that children like him are seldom heard by adults, despite having important insights to offer.

In My Blood It Runs is an inspiring insight into Dujuan’s journey of self-discovery and his dedication to preserve his culture. The book sheds light on the significance of creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students within the Australian education system. Through Dujuan’s extraordinary story, he reminds the reader of the transformative power of storytelling and the potential it holds to effect positive change.

GenWest interviewed Dujuan to learn more about his book and his mission.

Where did you get the idea of writing the book?

When we released the documentary about my life, In My Blood It Runs, millions of people watched it and the book publisher asked if I wanted to write a book. I wanted to make a kids’ book for schools, (for) people who don’t watch films and TV much. I made it for people who like reading books so they could see what it’s like growing up and roaming the streets of Alice Springs at night, (and) how our culture is strong and our families hold us together.

Did you enjoy the writing the process? Who helped write this book?

Writing the book was fun. The film team, Maya and Rachel, helped out with the making of the book. We spent a week in Darwin doing the book, visiting libraries and looking at how other books were written. My two nanas, Carol and Margie, wrote the book with me.

What are your favourite parts of the book?

My favourite pictures are the drawing is Pa Jimmy and when on the hill. It looks so much like him.

Your book tells of your experience in school. What are some things you want to change in education?

The system doesn’t teach First Nations language, they teach English first. This is across all Central Australian schools. At home we speak (First Nations) language first.

What do you hope adults will learn from your story?

I want people to know about the racism we experience in Alice Springs. It is a hotspot for cruelling black kids. I saw fighting, drinking and smoking from families struggling to cope with it all. But even though I saw all this I grew up to be a strong man ‘cause I had strong family around me who love me and supported me.

What do you hope children to learn from your story?

I want children to know what the real world is like and know that growing up isn’t always easy. I want this book to give them hope and strength and to know that their culture runs inside them. We are strong when we stand together, be proud of who we are.

What can others learn about natural elements in Australia?

Bush medicine is from the bush and they wait for us to come and pick them. And we use it to traditionally and it has been around for many thousands of years when sand and the trees were the only ones here. The bush medicine is all around us. We use it to heal. My nana says that everything comes from the land, even us.

BACKGROUND: The overarching aim of both the book and documentary, In My Blood It Runs, campaign is to promote safer environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australian schools. The book highlights the complexities Dujuan faces in balancing his Aboriginal heritage with the expectations of the mainstream education system. Part of Dijuan’s mission is to raise the criminal responsibility age from 10 years to 14 years.

You can watch Dujuan’s speech to the United Nations here.