1000 Warriors March

Las Saturday (5th of November 2017) Aboriginal and Islander men marched through the streets of Melbourne in harmony to Reclaim, Respect and Protect.
This was a simple, peaceful, no-fuss event that helped a group of blokes say to the people of Melbourne “Hey – we’re here! – don’t believe in the stereotype that black people only live in the desert regions – we live in Melbourne too!”.
Personally, I was quite moved by seeing a group of blokes being proud of their heritage when many have grown up having their heritage as an imposed stumbling block to their development.
Seeing these men literally dancing in the street was really something. Like a shallow breath onto a smouldering ember, the land – now paved with concrete and buildings was offered a feint echo of the past, a small reminder of a time never to be reclaimed. For a short time, the balance of power swayed. Traffic was stopped. People stopped. The police served and supported. Those that could really see, were amazed.

Of great importance to this small, yet proud community, is the passing on of culture to the younger generation – the search for identity.

The other thing that struck me is how overt a connection with the land is. This is not some ideology that some anthropologist identified last century, it really is a living connection with who they are and where they’ve come from. Bare feet are the go – ‘feel the land young fellas’ the younger boys were urged, ‘this is part of us!’.