Education and encouragement: The power of our Indigenous Uniforms

When looking at our Indigenous Uniforms for this season, telling the stories of our history is at the forefront.

Designed by 22-year-old Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung, German and Irish woman, Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, the aim of the uniforms was to empower First Nations people to have pride in their culture whenever they saw them.

Nicholson Ward touched on the importance of getting to showcase her culture via the jerseys on such a large stage.

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“I think that having First Nations culture highlighted in a mainstream platform is a great way to encourage people,” she said.

“It's a great way to inspire First Nations kids to take on basketball as a career, to make it a culturally safe space for everyone, and I think it's just a great way to educate and teach people about Wurundjeri culture, First Nations culture, our history. 

“To connect people from all different walks of life and to help keep our culture alive.”

Ky-ya is the second woman from her family to have designed an Indigenous Uniform for the club, following on from her mother, who took the reins when designing our inaugural Indigenous Uniform.

“I think it's really special and heartwarming to know that mum had designed the inaugural Melbourne United Indigenous Jersey,” she continued.

“I've always looked up to her in every space of work that she does, but mainly in her art. She's been doing art my whole life, and just watching her grow has inspired me and has given me a lot of opportunities and pathways as well.

“It's just a great representation of knowledge being passed down and how First Nations culture works with teaching our future generations about our cultural law and our art. Just seeing people like fans wearing the designs, I think that's really special too.”

Having debuted the uniforms in our win on Sunday afternoon against the Adelaide 36ers, the club will don the kit once again on Monday 3 November when we face the Sydney Kings on the eve of the Melbourne Cup public holiday.

With the opportunity to see the uniforms on full display, Ky-ya said she can’t wait for Monday evening.

“We're in the process of reawakening our language and our culture.

“So for so many people to embrace it, I think it's really special and to do it free from retribution is also an amazing feeling and hopefully in the future, it only gets better for our mob.”

Tickets remain available for the contest here.

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