The Richmond Football Club has today joined the movement to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.
Led by Shane Edwards, whose Arrernte family trace their history to Titjikala in the Northern Territory, the Club declared its support for the Recognise campaign during the AFL’s Indigenous Round.
Richmond has a proud history of partnerships with Indigenous communities through the work of its Korin Gamadji Institute, which delivers leadership training and education and work opportunities to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Richmond has also made Recognise the theme of its Indigenous Round jersey this year, to be worn in the iconic Dreamtime at the ‘G game on Saturday night, and designed by Indigenous artist Mick Harding.
Edwards said he was moved that his club was lending its support to the Recognise campaign.
“I think it’s a sign of how far our country has come over four generations,” he said.
“My great-great grandmother was taken from her mother and her traditional country as a child in an era when our country didn’t celebrate and value Aboriginal people and culture.”
“But now I think more and more Australians realise that it does honour to every Australian to know that we have the oldest living cultures on earth as part of our national story.”
Recognise is the campaign for all Australians to get the chance to vote to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution and to ensure there is no place for discrimination in it either.
As it stands, the Australian Constitution makes no mention of the first 40,000-plus years of Australian history and the people who forged it.
Belinda Duarte, Director of Richmond’s Korin Gamadji Institute, said the coming referendum would be a great achievement for all Australians.
“When we finally recognise our long history in this country, every Australian will be able to feel more connected to this remarkable story of our nation’s origins,” she said.
“And the next generations of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians will be able to walk taller knowing the rest of the nation shares their pride.”
Club president Peggy O’Neal said the Richmond Football Club was getting behind the campaign as part of its ongoing leadership in both football and the wider community.
“We’re really proud of our community programs, and this is a natural fit with the work that we are already doing in partnership with many Indigenous communities,” she said.
The Recognise campaign will be a strong feature of all nine AFL games this week.
The big R for Recognise will be featured on the grounds of each AFL game and on the cover of the AFL Record.
Recognise spokesperson Tanya Hosch applauded the Tigers’ leadership and support for the Recognise campaign.
“With this backing, Richmond is showing the way for other institutions and companies to think about how can be part of this history-making moment for our nation,” she said.
