United Indigenous Round - Our Q&A

Heading into the NBL’s Indigenous Round, it is natural to be curious about First Nations culture, and why these games are so important.

This season, our players and coaches have submitted their own questions to prominent local members of the Indigenous community in hopes of educating themselves, and the greater basketball community.

See their questions, along with responses from Rob Hyatt (Cultural Experiences Manager, Koorie Heritage Trust) and Barry Firebrace-Briggs (Treaty Commissioner).

From Chris Goulding - What does the NBL’s Indigenous Round mean to you?

RH - To me it provides an opportunity to feel proud about my culture, in particular to see it on display through the work of the artists that provide the imagery for jerseys. It's also a moment of pride to see our Elders in ceremony during Welcome to Country and the performers engaged in presenting culture through dance. It feels good as an Aboriginal person to see the culture alive and practiced and these rounds provide an opportunity for that.

From Jack White - How can people pay respect to your culture in their day to day life?

RH - I think that respect can come in many forms, but mainly it comes through knowledge. Firstly, taking the time to learn and build your knowledge of First Peoples in Australia, whether that be the rich cultures of the diverse Nations across our country to understanding the experiences of our people through the history of Australia to the current day. Take the time to listen to the stories and experiences of our First Peoples, firsthand, sit down and talk, sit down and listen. With that, you can question the myths and the stereotypes, the harmful comments and conversations that may occur and be an ally to change the narrative of those conversations and how people think.

From Dean Vickerman - I’ve seen our guys wearing ‘Treaty’ tee-shirts during past Indigenous Rounds. What is Treaty?

BFB - Treaty is an agreement between Aboriginal people and the Victorian Government. A treaty will allow Aboriginal people to negotiate outcomes on issues that affect them. Aboriginal people have the solutions on factors that impact their lives. A Treaty will provide a mechanism for Aboriginal people to self determine their futures and close the Gap on Health, Education and Justice. Treaty will not only benefit Aboriginal people but will benefit all people living in Victoria.

From Rob Loe - How can people learn and understand more about their local Indigenous culture?

RH - It would be easy to say look it up online but if you do, look for information that has been provided by local Indigenous culture. I would encourage people to find Indigenous organisations in their local area and learn about them and what they do. Know that each local area has its own local culture and therefore learn about the Traditional Owners of that local area. Look for sites of significance in your local area that tell the story of place and connect with the local culture of place, not just that of the past but the living culture that is present today.

From Marcus Lee - I see ‘Narrm’ on our jersey, but also hear ‘Wurundjeri’ used when talking about where we play. What is the difference between the two?

RH - Narrm is the area of Country that we now know as Melbourne so it refers to a small part of the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. Wurundjeri are the people, the Traditional Owners of Narrm.

Help us celebrate Indigenous Round on Saturday night when we take on the Perth Wildcats from 8pm. Tickets are available here.

If you want to learn more, follow any of the links below.

• https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/
• www.deadlyquestions.vic.gov. au
• Koorie Heritage Trust
• Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
• Treaty for Victoria