Jackie Huggins is a member of the Bidjara and Birri Gubba Juru peoples. She was born on 19 August 1956. She is a historian, author, educator and Aboriginal leader. After leaving school, Jackie Huggins worked at the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs before commencing study at the University of Queensland. She graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts. She has been involved in many community, government and educational organisations at local, state and national levels, ranging from reconciliation and Aboriginal welfare forums to continuing appointments on editorial and performing arts boards. Huggins has written widely on issues of concern to Indigenous communities. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland in 2006.