Toast 'A big opportunity for Indigenous Victorians': Richmond back Indigenous treaty

[Oprah From Tigerland]

'A big opportunity for Indigenous Victorians': Richmond back Indigenous treaty

By Caroline Wilson

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...d-back-indigenous-treaty-20190410-p51cx8.html

Richmond has become the first AFL club to support Treaty advancement in the lead up to the federal election and will use the Dreamtime game against Essendon in a bid to encourage indigenous Victorians to take part in the historic vote.

With the AFL yet to form a united view before a forecast referendum on constitutional recognition, the Tigers have taken a stand using the Indigenous Dreamtime Game at the MCG on May 25 to endorse a treaty and encourage all Aboriginal people across Victoria to take part.

Tigers president Peggy O’Neal said the new partnership with Treaty would ‘‘take the club’s responsibilities as a leader in reconciliation to a new level. We want to give the Treaty Advancement Commission every chance of success.

Indigenous activist Jill Gallagher with Richmond president Peggy O'Neal.CREDIT:EDDIE JIM

‘‘So much of sport is political but we see this as such a big opportunity for Indigenous Victorians and we feel very fortunate as a club to have this ability to highlight what’s going on in society.’’

<snip>
​

The Tigers, who wore their Dreamtime guernsey in support of Goodes after he briefly retreated from football following the treatment from West Coast fans, will have the logo supporting a treaty printed on their jumpers for the Dreamtime fixture.

Treaty will also be emblazoned on Richmond’s banner, the MCG LED signage and across the coverage of the Dreamtime game.

Peggy O’Neal is to announce the partnership on Thursday with Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher, who said: ‘‘This is a moment that every Aboriginal person in Victoria can be excited about — Treaty is coming to the MCG. Dreamtime at the ’G is always a special time for our mob and this year’s game comes right in the middle of a very important time.’’

The Uluru Statement from the Heart was released in May 2017 to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Referendum Convention. Calls for a treaty involves a contract between two sovereign parties while the proposal to recognise Indigenous people in the Australian constitution involves a set of governing laws.
Richmond, the first sporting club in Australia to put in place a Reconciliation Action Plan, last year become the first club in the country to present at the United Nations Forum on Indigenous issues, sharing the history of the 11-year-old Korin Gamadgi Institute based at Punt Road.

More than 1300 young Indigenous Australians have graduated from KGI programs with a further 500 involved in programs in 2019. ‘‘I remember a time when Indigenous players would come to our club and not always last very long,’’ O’Neal said. ‘‘[Now] Richmond’s commitment to our nation’s First Peoples runs deep ...​

‘‘We feel very fortunate to be in a position to help progress the work of the Treaty Commission as established under Victorian legislation.’’

 

[Wacko23Jacko]

It’s things like this that make the on field losses easier to take!

 

[SumTingWong]

Does anybody have any details as to what the Treaty will be?

 

[smasha]

Love our club.

 

[roacheee]

Here's the executive summary

What would be in the Declaration?
The Declaration would contain inspiring and unifying words expressing Australia’s shared history, heritage, and aspirations. It would bring together the three parts of Australia’s story: our ancient First Peoples’ heritage and culture, our British institutions, and our multicultural society. The Declaration would therefore be a collective, public, unifying expression of Australia’s unique and diverse story, made possible by our democratic institutions of Federal and State parliaments.


sounds fair, reasonable and right to me

 

[Socrates2]

Great stuff from the club,showing more leadership than some politicians are.

 

[JB1975]

Well done to the RFC. I think that footy is in a unique position to advance Indigenous issues, and Richmond has put itself at the forefront of it.

 

[Sir_Loin]

What’s the AFL waiting for?

 

[Socrates2]

What’s the AFL waiting for?

Gil has to check with his mate Peter Dutton first.

 

[Royce Hafey]

Gil has to check with his mate Peter Dutton first.

Am I the only one who fantasises about Dusty and Dutton being locked in the same room together? Dusty would probably "don't argue" him right onto Manus.

 

[TJTIGER]

Good thread, very proud of the RFC yet again.....Go Tiges & Treaty !!!

 

[Cdog71]

Very proud of this club

 

[parmy2balmey]

Am I the only one who fantasises about Dusty and Dutton being locked in the same room together? Dusty would probably "don't argue" him right onto Manus.

don’t argue his anus? steady on

 

[Cotcho]

4 indigenous players putting on the jumper this week as well with one being the skipper. Fair representation!

 

[Hans McGregor]

Fantastic initiative. Love the work the club does to promote the advancement of indigenous people.

 

[Tygrys]

Good thread, very proud of the RFC yet again.....Go Tiges & Treaty !!!

Actually...just go Tigers

 

[Dr Tigris]

In some ways out there - cause the usual suspects will be very upset.

But in many other ways leading the whole country, not just footy.

Love this club

 

[Oprah From Tigerland]

Richmond partners with Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission
richmondfc.com.au
Apr 11, 2019 5:00PM

Richmond and the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) have strengthened their commitment to the Victorian Aboriginal community through a new partnership with the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission (VTAC).

Richmond and the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) have strengthened their commitment to the Victorian Aboriginal community through a new partnership with the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission (VTAC).

Using the powerful platform of its annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match, Richmond will support VTAC’s initiatives to engage the Victorian Aboriginal community in the opportunity to participate in Treaty advancement, a movement legislated and supported by the Victorian State Government.

Richmond, with the KGI, has worked with Victorian Indigenous youth for over a decade, delivering strength-based programming focused on active citizenship, leadership, and cultural affirmation, to support the self-determination of Australia’s First Peoples.

More than 1300 Indigenous youth have graduated from KGI programs since the centre opened its doors in 2012, with another 500 young people to participate in programming this year.

Richmond’s annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match has grown in significance since the first game 15 years ago, and is the centrepiece of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

This game brings together the nation’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in an event that transcends football to celebrate, educate and recognise Indigenous culture and raise awareness of important issues.

The match is a representation of the Club’s leadership role and continued commitment to Reconciliation nationally, aligning with Richmond’s Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) status.

During this year’s Dreamtime at the ‘G match, Richmond will wear the Treaty logo on its match-day guernsey in support of VTAC’s plans to engage and encourage the Victorian Aboriginal community to have their say in shaping Treaty for Victoria.

At the centre of the partnership is educating and informing KGI participants, and raising awareness to eligible Victorian Aboriginals of the opportunity to enrol to vote so as to express their views on Treaty for Victoria.


Jill Gallagher AO, Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner said it is “fantastic” that both Richmond and the KGI are supporting the opportunities that Treaty present.

“This is a moment that every Aboriginal person in Victoria can be excited about – Treaty is coming to the MCG,” Gallagher said.

“Dreamtime at the ‘G is always a special time for our mob and this year’s game comes right in the middle of a very important time.”

Richmond President, Peggy O’Neal, said the new partnership takes the Club’s responsibilities as a leader in Reconciliation to a new level.

“Richmond’s commitment to our nation’s First Peoples runs deep,” O’Neal said.

“Ultimately, our KGI programming focuses on voice for youth, and that clearly connects with the opportunities that Treaty presents for Aboriginal Victorians.

“Through our reputation, leadership role in Reconciliation, and the opportunity created by Dreamtime at the ‘G, we feel that we can raise awareness of the Commission’s Treaty advancement work, as well as educate Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“We feel very fortunate to be in a position to help progress the work of the Treaty Commission, as established under Victorian legislation.”

For more information about Treaty for Victoria, visit treatyforvictoria.org.au or deadlyquestions.vic.gov.au.