Indigenous writers, advocates and others have called on celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to withdraw his children's book, Billy and the Epic Escape, for its "damaging and disrespectful" depiction of an Indigenous character.
Mr Oliver, who is in Australia promoting his new cookbook Simply Jamie, has apologised for the book but his publishers have not committed to withdrawing it in its current form.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) said Mr Oliver indulged in the "trivialisation and stereotyping of First Nations people and experiences" in a way that is "damaging and disrespectful" and called for it to be withdrawn from sale.
The Guardian reports that a subplot of the book follows "Ruby", a First Nations girl living in foster care in a fictional community near Alice Springs, who is stolen to join a gang of children working the villain's land. The villain promises funding for community projects to the adults who should be responsible for Ruby.
The girl is then rescued by English children and tells them she can read people's minds and communicate with animals and plants because "that's the Indigenous way", and despite the fact she is from Mparntwe/Alice Springs, she uses Gamilaraay words.
Publisher Penguin Random House UK admitted there had been no consultation with any Indigenous organisation, community or individual before the book was published.
Mr Oliver told The Guardian he was "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," he said.
Penguin Random House UC said it was their "editorial oversight that this did not happen".
"It should have and the author asked for one and we apologise unreservedly," they said in a statement.
NATSIEC chief executive Sharon Davis told The Guardian the book perpetuated harmful stereotypes, trivialised complex and painful histories, and ignored the violent oppression of First Nations people.
"We urge Penguin Books and Jamie Oliver to recognise the impact of their content and take swift action to prevent further harm," they said in a statement to The Guardian.
"Penguin Books should pull Billy and the Epic Escape from circulation, specifically removing all content involving First Nations characters and cultural references."
Award-winning Kooma and Nguri author Cheryl Leavy told Guardian Australia she was disturbed by the book's appropriation of culture.
"It's fair to expect that authors who wish to delve into any sensitive subject matter adhere to some basic industry standards, such as working with advisers with expertise in that area," she said.
"First Nations peoples need to be involved at every stage of the process from acquisitions to editorial, to sales and marketing.
"Only then will our stories be told with the complete respect they deserve. There is no space in Australian publishing (or elsewhere) for our stories to be told through a colonial lens, by authors who have little if any connection to the people and place they are writing about."
