Opinion Mending Bridges

[jmac70]

Collingwood's relationship with the Indigenous people of this country has not always been positive. I was thinking about this today and had an idea that might help to mend some bridges. How would you feel if an 'Acknowledgement of Country' was written on our guernsey below the club logo? If that doesn't work perhaps we could have it read out before our home games? I see this as more than just a token gesture and would demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation.

For those unfamiliar with the 'Acknowledgement of Country' it is as follows:

'We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people who are the traditional custodians of this land.
We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present of the Wurundjeri nation
and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present'.

 

[TW Sherrin]

how about we try to win games of football.

 

[ZEV]

Are you familiar with the Barrawarn program?

 

[mattys123]

Are you familiar with the Barrawarn program?

Yeah I was going to bring this up, we are doing more for the indigneous community then we ever have in our clubs history.

http://www.cfcfoundation.com.au/programs/

Barrawarn Program

The Barrawarn Program is an Indigenous Employment and Education Program managed by the Collingwood Football Club Foundation in partnership with AFL SportsReady. The program commenced in 2012, providing educational and employment support for 15 young indigenous Australians in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The CFC Foundation is now also working in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of State Development, Business and Innovation to provide full time employment placements.

We are proud to have achieved 35 new work placements for Indigenous Australians over the past 18 months. Collingwood works with the State Government and AFL Sportsready to identify and support organisations to create new Indigenous Employment programs.

We are grateful to the following organisations for their generous support – Westpac, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre; Linfox; and the Commission for Child and Young People.

Quite simply put that the "old Collingwood" that was quite ignorant when it came to the indigenous community no longer exists.

Leave our jumper alone though, nothing political/race goes on there, and that's what this would be.

 

[Apex36]

Yeah I was going to bring this up, we are doing more for the indigneous community then we ever have in our clubs history.

http://www.cfcfoundation.com.au/programs/



Quite simply put that the "old Collingwood" that was quite ignorant when it came to the indigenous community no longer exists.

Leave our jumper alone though, nothing political/race goes on there, and that's what this would be.

Was going to say the same thing. Leave the politics out of game day, off our jumper and keep doing things that actually help the indigenous community rather than make shallow public gestures.

 

[jmac70]

Was going to say the same thing. Leave the politics out of game day, off our jumper and keep doing things that actually help the indigenous community rather than make shallow public gestures.

Why is it a "shallow public gesture?"

 

[Apex36]

Why is it a "shallow public gesture?"

Because it does absolutely nothing to help the indigenous community aside from putting about $10k in the pocket of a person who holds the title of elder (often very dubiously.)

 

[jmac70]

Because it does absolutely nothing to help the indigenous community aside from putting about $10k in the pocket of a person who holds the title of elder (often very dubiously.)

It's a show of respect to the traditional owners. It is common practice within many workplaces including primary schools. I have no idea what you are referring to regarding $10k going to an elder. Can you explain?

 

[Apex36]

It's a show of respect to the traditional owners. It is common practice within many workplaces including primary schools.

I know what it is, and I know what the intention is, but for mine it simply reinforces an us vs them mantra rather than aiding in genuine reconciliation. I'm not going to debate this, it's simply my own opinion.

I have no idea what you are referring to regarding $10k going to an elder. Can you explain?

Sorry, was meant to be $1k not 10. On my phone, was a bizarre auto correct. Anyone can perform the ceremony afaik if they're indigenous, but most often for public events like the football they seem to like to get someone with the title of elder. There have been a few incidences where the elder title has been self proclaimed, much to the irritation of the indigenous community at large.

 

[THATSGOLD]

Draft an aboriginal small forward.

 

[jmac70]

I know what it is, and I know what the intention is, but for mine it simply reinforces an us vs them mantra rather than aiding in genuine reconciliation. I'm not going to debate this, it's simply my own opinion.

Sorry, was meant to be $1k not 10. On my phone, was a bizarre auto correct. Anyone can perform the ceremony afaik if they're indigenous, but most often for public events like the football they seem to like to get someone with the title of elder. There have been a few incidences where the elder title has been self proclaimed, much to the irritation of the indigenous community at large.

You are referring to a Welcome to Country. It's completely different.

 

[doodles98]

I think you are right Jmac that CFC has some ground to make up here. Unfortunately not much is/has been done and we still seem to be recruiting very few indigenous players compared to other clubs.
I don't like the acknowledgment of country idea though. Has nothing to do with anything and is a bunch of words with dubious origins and meaning to indigenous people. It's a trendy construct and a meaningless gesture at the end of the day. I would like to see CFC really go to town on engaging with indigenous people in the Barkly zone and turn it into a factory for talented footballers. Invest heavily in it and it will help mend the bridges, give real benefit to indigenous Australians as well as more than repay us as a source of talent in the future.

 

[wicksy]

Collingwood's relationship with the Indigenous people of this country has not always been positive. I was thinking about this today and had an idea that might help to mend some bridges. How would you feel if an 'Acknowledgement of Country' was written on our guernsey below the club logo? If that doesn't work perhaps we could have it read out before our home games? I see this as more than just a token gesture and would demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation.

For those unfamiliar with the 'Acknowledgement of Country' it is as follows:

'We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people who are the traditional custodians of this land.
We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present of the Wurundjeri nation
and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present'.

You're kidding right?
Does the German football team wear a star of David on their jersey out of respect for events that none of them contributed to?

I hope that one day we can just all agree to be homo sapiens again and rid ourselves of this anti-racist, politically correct nonsense.

 

[jmac70]

You're kidding right?
Does the German football team wear a star of David on their jersey out of respect for events that none of them contributed to?

I hope that one day we can just all agree to be homo sapiens again and rid ourselves of this anti-racist, politically correct nonsense.

Your entitled to your view but I can't see how German history has anything to do with what I suggested.

 

[wicksy]

Your entitled to your view but I can't see how German history has anything to do with what I suggested.

Your thread title alludes to the fact we have "bridges to mend".... Do we? Why?

I've read quite a few posts on this board in the past which suggests we're racist because we don't have many indigenous players.... Well, I think we're fatist.... Because all the players are thin and I'M OFFENDED because i'm a big fat arse.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

The greatest form of equality in my view, is to be colour blind to people.
I have never seen as example Travis Varcoe as anything but a terrific football player.
I am proud of his heritage as it were. I am proud of all our players backgrounds. One wonderful Collingwood, not perfect but overall better each day.
Live by that and Collingwood will remain a proud member of the human story.

Re recruiting? Just recruit the best players as required, no thought whatsoever to background, black and white always looks good anyway. Throw in any other colour, I can't tell the difference anyway.

 

[jmac70]

Your thread title alludes to the fact we have "bridges to mend".... Do we? Why?

I've read quite a few posts on this board in the past which suggests we're racist because we don't have many indigenous players.... Well, I think we're fatist.... Because all the players are thin and I'M OFFENDED because i'm a big fat arse.

If you don't think there is any more we could be doing for Indigenous people then I don't think we have much to discuss mate. You don't like the idea and that's fine, lets leave it there.

 

[wicksy]

If you don't think there is any more we could be doing for Indigenous people then I don't think we have much to discuss mate. You don't like the idea and that's fine, lets leave it there.

Why stop at indigenous people... That's my qualm.
Agree to disagree.

 

[Apex36]

You are referring to a Welcome to Country. It's completely different.

You're correct. I misread. I still regard it as a shallow gesture though.

 

[WalterBlaknWhte]

Nicky Winmar, jumper raised, showing his skin. Powerful protest. Shame Collingwood fans inspired it.

Overall, Eddie has been magnificent for our club. Disappointing that he undermined this contribution by his comments regarding Adam Goodes.

Hell yeah, JMac. The club can expand its role in reconciliation.


(and while we're at it, bring on a National Treaty to redress the invasion)

 

[doodles98]

Your thread title alludes to the fact we have "bridges to mend".... Do we? Why?

I've read quite a few posts on this board in the past which suggests we're racist because we don't have many indigenous players.... Well, I think we're fatist.... Because all the players are thin and I'M OFFENDED because i'm a big fat arse.

theres a theory about internet discussion forums and the relationship between the length of the debate and the likelyhood of someone bringing up Nazis. I forget what it's called. You've gone much earlier than normal.
Anyway.. so you don't think Collingwwod has an unfortunate association with racist incidents? Nicky Winmar, Alan Macalisters "as long as they can act like human beings"; Monkhurst, dear old Ed. I saw a lot of games at Vic park as a young bloke and vividly remember the wholesale abuse that players like the Krakouers were subjected to every time they played there. You don't think this is a burden of history we should try to overcome/set right in some way as a club.. if we can?

 

[DoubleDraw7710]

theres a theory about internet discussion forums and the relationship between the length of the debate and the likelyhood of someone bringing up Nazis. I forget what it's called. You've gone much earlier than normal.

Godwin's law

 

[dansa]

I can't support any changes to the jumper what ever the good intentions or cause.
I'd even remove the advertising if I were in charge.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

I can't support any changes to the jumper what ever the good intentions or cause.
I'd even remove the advertising if I were in charge.

The US which is hyped up commercialism keeps all advertising off the jumpers.
Would be fantastic a clean fresh non advertising jumper. And move the afl logo off as well, as if it's a different football league.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Classic clean non junked up jumper