The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the contribution players, participants, fans and Indigenous communities bring to our game, both on and off the field. Round 11 of the Toyota AFL Premiership season will celebrate the theme ‘When you dream, everything’s possible’.
Dreaming plays and important part in indigenous culture and it’s something perhaps we could all do a little more of. Because when you dream, everything’s possible.
Dreaming is how kids growing up all over the country have gone on to become footy legends, teaching new generations to dream of achieving their own greatness.
And dreaming is what has inspired change for Indigenous rights and recognition and gives us hope for the future.
So join the celebration of our country’s Indigenous culture and the proud athletes who’ve played such an important role, not just on the ground but also off it.
The theme inspired by the significant achievements and contribution made by Indigenous people and communities, past and present, to the game, including the great honour 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes has brought to the game, the incredible story of Sir Doug Nicholls, first ever AFL player to be knighted, as well as the ten year anniversary of the Long Walk and Dreamtime at the G.
This year, for the first time in the game’s history, all 18 AFL clubs will wear an Indigenous themed jumper, demonstrating the national scope of the celebration. The Sydney Swans will wear a jumper designed by Indigenous artist Lisa Sansbury, who is also the mother of Adam Goodes.
Speaking at the launch of the jumper, Goodes said it was a momentous occasion for him to be wearing the design.
"I'm very honoured and proud to be playing in an Indigenous Round with an Indigenous jumper for the first time, and to have my beautiful mother design it, which I'm very honoured," Goodes said.
"This year every [AFL] club will have an Indigenous jumper for the round and that's something we spoke about at the Indigenous camp two years ago, how good it would be to have every club support the idea of having an Indigenous design for the round, and this year we've achieved it."
The AFL has partnered with Recognise in support of the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s founding document.
The Recognise campaign will be a feature of every AFL game and the campaign’s distinctive logo will feature at the grounds and on the cover of the AFL Footy Record.
Adam Goodes reflected on the importance of Indigenous Round and the AFL’s commitment to the Recognise campaign.
"This week is an opportunity for the players to share their stories about their own country and their Indigenous identity."
"It is also a time to highlight our commitment to the Recognise campaign, I'm proud of the 40,000-plus years of history of my ancestors, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. And yet that impressive Australian story is still missing from Australia's founding document. What a great day it will be for our nation when we fix that historic exclusion together."
In Australia there are more than 300 different nations (individual Indigenous groups) who speak over 500 languages. In 2014, there are 69 Indigenous players listed at AFL clubs.
To celebrate the diversity and reach of the game, matches will be played in every state in Round 11, and Adam Goodes encourages all Australians to participate in the celebrations.
"I think indigenous Round is a fantastic way for the AFL, supporters and its players to express how much of a contribution Indigenous players have made to the game. Whether it’s on the field, off the field with umpires, staff, it’s a fantastic contribution for indigenous people," Goodes said.
Ways your club can promote the 2014 Indigenous Round
There are many ways your club can promote the Indigenous Round including the following:
- A ‘Welcome to Country’ performed by an Indigenous community member
- An ‘Acknowledgement to Country’ performed prior to the match
- Having an Indigenous Guard of Honour
- Acknowledging the theme prior to the game
- Recognising the Indigenous players in your league or club with an article in the record
- Encourage your players and families to go to the Indigenous Round game between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at the SCG on May 29 at 7:10pm (for more information please visit www.afl.com.au/indigenousround)
- Encourage your players and families to participate in the Sydney Long Walk to be held at the GWS GIANTS v Essendon match at Skoda Stadium on Saturday June 7.
A ‘Welcome to Country’ or an ‘Acknowledgement to Country’
Both are protocols that precede the activity. They recognise the unique position of Aboriginal people in Australian culture and history and show respect for Aboriginal people.
If you are planning to include a 'Welcome to Country' or do an 'Acknowledgement of Country' make sure to consult with Aboriginal people of the community where the event takes place. This way you ensure that the ceremony pays the appropriate level of recognition and involves the right people.
Welcome to Country
'Welcome to Country' is an important ceremony by Aboriginal people and inviting them to perform it helps non-Indigenous people recognise Aboriginal culture and history.
A 'Welcome to Country' is a small ceremony where traditional owners, usually elders, welcome people to their land. This is a significant recognition and is made through a formal process, although it's up to the elder how they decide to carry out the ceremony. It also depends on the location of the event and the practice of the Aboriginal community which can vary greatly according to region.
During a 'Welcome to Country' the elders welcome those in attendance, guests, staff and students to their country. It might be just a simple speech or a performance of some sort, like a song, traditional dance, a didgeridoo piece or any combination of these.
'Welcome to Country' should always occur in the opening of the event in question, preferable as the first item. Note that a 'Welcome to Country' is often considered a right and not a privilege.
The 'Welcome to Country' ceremony was first conducted at an official ceremony in 1999 during the NSW Supreme Court's 175th anniversary, arranged by Chief Justice James Spigelman. In parliament it was first introduced at the start of parliament in 2008 and now forms a regular element of Australian political process.
Acknowledgement to Country
An 'Acknowledgement of Country' can be done by everyone, Indigenous or non-Indigenous, to pay respect to the fact that one is on Aboriginal land.
An 'Acknowledgement of Country' is a way that all people can show respect for Aboriginal culture and heritage and the ongoing relationship the traditional owners have with their land.
Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can perform 'Acknowledgement of Country'. It is a demonstration of respect dedicated to the traditional custodians of the land (or sea) where the event, meeting, school function or conference takes place.
Sample Acknowledgement of Country where the language group is not known: I would like to show my respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land,of elders past and present, on which this event takes place.
Sample Acknowledgement of Country using a specific nation: I would like to acknowledge the (name of local Indigenous people) people who are the traditional custodians of this land.
I would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present of the (name of local Indigenous people) nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present.
For more information or media enquiries please contact AFL NSW/ACT Media and Communications Advisor Lindsay Clement-Meehan: (P) 02 98333 8016 or (E) Lindsay.clement-meehan@aflnswact.com.au
Last Modified on 28/05/2014 07:51
