Athletes learn indigenous history and culture of land on which they train

06 November 2020

Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes have gained a greater appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, starting at a place very close to their hearts – their own sporting venues.

Karate athlete Michelle Wilson sharing a yarn with Kaurna custodian Mickey O’Brien

In the lead-up to NAIDOC week from 8-15 November 2020, groups of athletes met with traditional landowners at their home training venue as part of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Share a Yarn initiative.

Athletes shared a yarn with local indigenous custodians at six sporting locations around the country, learning about the history and significance of the land, but also building ongoing relationships with the indigenous community in their local area.

Activities took place in Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and the Gold Coast. To acknowledge NAIDOC week and the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, the AIS release a video series highlighting these activities and encouraging all in the sporting community to learn more about the traditional owners of the land on which they train and compete.

Karate champion Michelle Wilson and Beach Volleyballer Christopher McHugh met with Kaurna custodian Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).

O’Brien said: “Sharing culture is something that our people have always and continue to do. Our people believe no one person holds all the knowledge and wisdom, it is shared. Culture enables us to connect and bring people together.”

Wilson said: “As an athlete I believe it is important that we learn more about the history of the land we train on as a way of gaining a deeper understanding of the country we proudly represent and the traditional custodians of that land,”

McHugh urged all athletes to learn more about the history of the land on which they train: “we are privileged to represent Australia in our chosen pursuit and in that we represent all Australians including our First Nations peoples.”

At Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast, Para-triathlete Katie Kelly was joined by Paddle Australia and Queensland Academy of Sport athletes to learn about the history of the traditional owners of the land, the Yugambeh people. Kelly said: “All of us can get a better understanding of our First Nations people and the spirituality and connection with the land. Reconciliation will make us a better and happier country.”

Pizzey Park, QLD | Yugambeh country

Standing on the banks of Penrith’s Nepean River on Darug country, custodian Uncle Lex Dadd shared his knowledge of the local land and waterways with Australian Rowers including Emma Fessey and Rowena Meredith, reflecting:“The more we talk, the more we yarn and collaborate with each other, not only will we have reconciliation between everyone, but we’ll have reconciliation for mother earth.”

Fessey said: “It was really valuable to learn about the river we train on every day and I think it’s something we can take with us on our journey forward.”

Para-cyclist Amanda Reid is proud of her Aboriginal heritage and took part in the event at Sydney’s Olympic Park: “Reconciliation means coming together and one path. Being Indigenous, I it was a great opportunity to share my culture.”

AIS CEO Peter Conde said: “The AIS is committed to creating positive and lasting change to reduce inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. These types of activities provide a genuine opportunity for athletes to engage in an open and two-way conversation, and help them gain the knowledge they need to empower them to be better role models for cultural understanding and inclusivity.”

The AIS established Share a Yarn this year to connect elite athletes with Indigenous communities to help raise cultural awareness throughout Australian high-performance sport. The 13-athletes involved in the inaugural program are a mix of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) athletes and non-ATSI athletes.

Share a Yarn activities

Canberra

• Ngunnawal country | Beki Smith (Race Walker) shared a yarn with Ngunnawal custodian Richie Allan at the AIS Athletics track in Bruce, ACT.

Adelaide

• Kaurna country | Michelle Wilson (Karate) and Christopher McHugh (Beach Volleyball) shared a yarn with Kaurna custodian Michael O’Brien at the South Australian Sports Institute in Kidman Park, South Australia.

Sydney

• Darug country | Rowena Meredith (Rowing) and Emma Fessey (Rowing) shared a yarn with Darug Nation custodian Uncle Lex Dadd at the Rowing Australia Women's National Training Centre in Penrith, NSW.
• Jada Whyman (Football) shared a yarn with Darug Nation custodian Uncle Lex Dadd at Blacktown International Sports Park in Blacktown, NSW.
• Darug country | Rebecca Hancock (Sailing) and Amanda Reid (Para-cycling) shared a yarn with John Hunter from the Muramara Cultural Council at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, NSW.

Gold Coast

• Yugambeh country | Katie Kelly (Para-triathlon) shared a yarn with local indigenous community members and custodians from Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast, QLD.