NRL 2020: Traditional custodians honoured in Indigenous round

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 27 Jul 2020, 02:51 PM

The NRL’s 2020 Indigenous Round will adopt the theme "Pass Back. Move Forward." to highlight the importance of understanding and appreciating Indigenous history and culture in order to build a better future.

The focus of Round 12 will be encouraging fans to learn about the traditional custodians of the land where they live, and in support of this, all stadiums hosting Indigenous Round matches will include an acknowledgement to local First Nations people as part of their stadium name.

In addition, the draw on NRL.com will acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where each club and venue is based.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys AM said the concept of the "Pass Back. Move Forward." campaign was an important reminder to all Australians of the need to understand history, in order to move to a more positive future.

North Queensland's Indigenous Round jersey. The ‘Chosen One’ jersey design is the winner of the Cowboys annual Indigenous Jersey Design Competition, designed by artist William Chambers. In the Torres Strait and North Queensland Indigenous communities, the Sea Turtle is considered a delicacy. This painting represents the turtle’s journey from hatchling to fully grown adult. The smaller turtles are hatchlings on their journey from the shore to the open sea. The circles represent all obstacles and predators; not all become fully grown. The hunters with spears look for the chosen one which will become food. The fully grown turtle is also the chosen one as it gets its chance to reproduce and continue the cycle of life.

David Nofoaluma in the Wests Tigers' 2020 Indigenous Round jersey, named ‘Guwing & Yunada’ (meaning Sun & Moon in Dharawal language). Location on jersey: Front & Back Created: 6th September 2019 Meaning: This artwork exhibits emu and kangaroo living amongst each other, while the sun and moon are on the verge of switching positions at dusk. Artwork name: ‘River Flow’ Location on jersey: Sleeves Created: 5th August 2019 Meaning: This artwork symbolises life. Much like a river flow we are moving forward in our lives, and with moving forward we are all directed onto certain pathways. The blue water represents people flowing down the river in a forward motion whilst the brown, red and white represent guides putting people into the right direction

Cronulla's Indigenous Round jersey, designed by Alara Geebung (Cameron). Entitled “Coming Together”, the Sharks 2020 Indigenous Jersey has been designed with the intricate artwork a direct reconnection to the ways of “our old people”, it’s an illustration which also represents a oneness with mother nature and equanimity of mind. The night sky spirit animals represent and pay tribute to the players totems and the oneness between spirt and sky to land and sea. Through dreamtime stories, the nation’s first peoples, and widely respected by the wider community, as a symbol of Australia, the Southern Cross features as a connection between both cultures.

Blake Ferguson in the Eels' 2020 Indigenous Round jersey. The Eels will play the Bulldogs wearing specially designed jerseys by Aboriginal artist Danielle Mate Sullivan, with input from Eels player Will Smith. The artwork is called ‘Connection’ and represents the connection to the past and present. The large circle on the front of the jersey represents the meeting place for the players/warriors of the game, while the line to the top is a journey line to the players’ homelands.

There’s four hands on the back that represent Eels indigenous players Blake Ferguson and Will Smith’s children. The smaller circles are a nod to communities the Eels visit and work with. The past is represented by the warrior and the Parramatta River. The Burramattagal people, who are a clan of the Darug, have a connection to this river where they ﬁrst settled and caught ﬁsh, eels and other sources of food Colours from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags feature on the sides of the jersey.

Scott Prince models the Broncos' 2020 Indigenous Round jersey designed by Elaine Chambers-Hegarty. The centre of the jersey is the meeting ground where people from north, south, east and west gather to unite their communities under the watch of their ancestors. Circles throughout the jersey represent communities in which the Broncos and Deadly Choices operate. Some are connected, and others are more remote. Wavy lines to the community areas show the rivers and waterways currently suffering through drought. Markings around show sections representing the people of the Torres Strait Islands.

Angus Crichton in the Roosters' 2020 Indigenous Round jersey. The Sydney Roosters ‘Club’ is depicted as the main circle in the top left-hand corner. There are journey lines branching out from the circle which represents the many community programs and events the Roosters are involved in. The outline of the Rooster logo is overlapping the circle and shows the strength and support of all areas of the Club. The Sydney Roosters logo is outlined in dot work to represent the ongoing Indigenous heritage of the players, staff and members of the Club. Below are the totems of the Indigenous players of the Sydney Roosters, including players from the Junior Squads to the NRL. The totems contain symbols that represent land, sea and sky. The footprints and surrounding area indicate the act of dancing and kicking up dust, which signifies the moving in the womb of Mother Earth. This act relates to the Roosters when they take to the field during Indigenous Round in 2020.

Gold Coast's Indigenous Round jersey. Connection with community, passion, support and togetherness are the key messages from the inspiring artwork “Healing” from Coffs Harbour artist Laura Pitt, that has been chosen as the design for the Gold Coast Titans 2020 Indigenous jersey. The blue circles in the middle with the symbols on the outside represent the Titans community, passion is represented through the coloured dots surrounding the players and supporters with links of the blue and ochre lines that merge together as one. The handprints and blue and white waterholes surrounding the area represent connection to the land. The blue and yellow healing leaves represent the resilience of the team that play together and heal together.

South Sydney's Indigenous Round jersey. For the 2020 NRL Indigenous Round, the Rabbitohs will be wearing culture on their sleeves, representing the proud legacy of the indigenous players who have worn the Jersey before them. In collaboration with our Indigenous players and artist Uncle Joe Walker, the Jersey design connects all the different communities, players and their stories to the Black Rabbit.

Adam Elliott models Canterbury's Indigenous Round jersey, designed by local Indigenous students from Bethlehem College, Ashfield. The design of this year’s Jersey features traditional artwork by the Students, symbolising the coming together of our community for Indigenous Round. Indigenous and Non-Indigenous players, Members of our community and the designers themselves are represented as Suns on the Jersey arranged around a meeting place – in this instance, our match against the Eels. Also included on the Jersey are totem animals of the local area and the Cooks River, which has long enabled many tribes to come together.

Manly's Indigenous Round jersey. The large blue circular design feature positioned in the bottom right corner of the jersey represents the Manly district and Brookvale, with its tentacles and tributaries reaching far beyond, embracing fans across the country. At the centre of the circle is a map of the Manly/Warringah/Pittwater districts. There are also seventeen lines, one for each of the warriors selected to represent the 2020 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL each week. The carefully dotted lines also represent the journeys undertaken by Indigenous players, past and present, who have proudly represented the Manly club and their Peoples. At the end of each journey, the players communities and grass roots footy are depicted. It is, in essence, the starting point from where the Rugby League adventure begins for all First Nations players.

The Dragons' 2020 Indigenous Round jersey. The front of jersey design, entitled Dragons Community by Watson, showcases spiritual guides, the humpback and footprints of the kangaroo within the hunting boomerang and pays respect to the Dragons' playing group, their families, staff and supporters including the Dharawal-speaking people. The smaller community groups and pathways in grey represent the different backgrounds and journeys travelled by all players and supporters, showing that in the end they are all tied together by the strength of the Dragon’s jersey.

The lower back of jersey design, entitled Dharawal Country – Spirit of the Dragons by Binge, demonstrates a representation of two meeting places – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium and WIN Stadium – while the U-shaped symbols embody the traditional Bidjigal and Wadi Wadi custodians where the stadiums stands. The little people are a depiction of the youth while the two spirit figures watch over and guide them through life. Hands are a representation of the traditional custodians of the land while the circle symbolises community; the whale is the totemic animal of the Dharawal people, and the goanna represents the people of the mainland. These three symbols represent health, education and social issues.

Canberra's Indigenous Round jersey. Artist Lynnice Church, an Aboriginal woman from the Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi Tribes who previously held a position on the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, is credited with the jersey design which carries artwork associated with the region’s Reconciliation Public Holiday, which occurred on Monday 1 June 2020.

Penrith's Indigenous Round jersey, designed by Natasha Fordham. The front of the jersey features the meeting place of Panthers Stadium on Darug land, flanked by the Nepean River, local wildlife and the Blue Mountains The setting sun creates an eye-catching silhouette to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land the Panthers community calls home today Designed by Natasha Fordham in collaboration with Panthers Indigenous Welfare Officer Glen Liddiard and Panthers players Brent Naden, Daine Laurie and Brayden McGrady Totems recognising the club's Indigenous players in the NRL squad including Brent Naden (Wiradjuri - goanna), Brayden McGrady (Kamilaroi - snake) and Daine Laurie (Bundjalung / Yaegl - turtle) Fans will be able to bid for match-worn jerseys signed by the individual player directly after the game via shop.penrithpanthers.com.au

Melbourne's Indigenous Round jersey, designed by Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, a 17-year-old Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Ngurai illum Wurrung woman. The jersey is called ‘Jindi Worobak’ which means ‘Join and Unite’ in Woiwurrung which is the language of my people, the Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne). This is my way as an artist to acknowledge the players, the workers, volunteers and fans that all join and unite to create the amazing Melbourne Storm community and environment. The centre circle on the jersey represents AAMI Park, and the white circles represent the staff, fans and crowd who come united as one to support the players. It represents how when we all come together as one, we are stronger. The joint circles flowing through the middle section of the jersey represent the Birrarung (Yarra River) which is a very significant and spiritual river to my people. ‘Birrarung’ means ‘river of mists’ in Woiwurrung, this is because the mist dances along the river at dawn which is linked to my people’s dreamtime/creation stories.

The Warriors' Indigenous Round jersey, designed by Dave Burke. Tāua Tahi is the Māori way of saying “That’s Us” - Indigenous populations share many cultural similarities around how we relate to our environments particularly land, water people and language. Tāua tahi the 2020 indigenous jersey acknowledges these similarities and shared realities on field and off field. It represents the players coming together and below is the next generation who are inspired by the coming together of our indigenous people and the change that can be created by understanding and respecting each other.

The Newcastle jersey was designed by local Aboriginal artist Tyler Smith with feedback from Knights players Connor Watson, Edrick Lee and Gehamat Shibasaki. In creating a deeper bond to the region and its people, Smith enlisted the assistance of four young Indigenous detainees through his art program at Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre. The design of the jersey represents the local landscape of Newcastle, the wider region and also incorporates the handprints of the three players. Central to the design is the implementation of three totems representing the three players - Goanna (Watson), Turtle (Shibasaki) and Saltwater Crocodile (Lee).

"This round and this campaign reminds us all of the need for better awareness of Australia’s history to ensure a fairer future for all," he said.

"Thanks to Commissioner Megan Davis, I have spent time listening to a delegation of our Indigenous players. In fact, I was very disappointed with myself for not being aware of the difficulties and challenges they endured.

"I now have a much better understanding of their issues and I was greatly inspired by their passion and commitment in having a voice for their community. I now hope for the greater community to have awareness of their history and culture. We all have a role to play in educating ourselves about the past so that we may embrace a more inclusive future together."

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Indigenous stars raise their voice

Professor Davis said rugby league has been an integral part of Indigenous history and had played an important role in promoting reconciliation, social mobility and inclusion.

"Indigenous Round is the opportunity for rugby league to use its collective voice and raise matters of importance to First Nations people," Professor Davis said.

"By adopting the theme of Pass Back. Move Forward. we aim to encourage people to increase their awareness and appreciation of Indigenous history so that together, we recognise and challenge racism."

Teams and venues will be referred to by the names of the traditional custodians of that land; for example the SCG will be acknowledged as the home of the Gadigal people and Suncorp as the home of the Yuggera and Turrbal peoples.

Similarly, all clubs will acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which they are based.

For example, the Knights are based in the home of the Awabakal people, the Cowboys in the home of the Wulgurukaba people and the Eels in the home of the Burramattagal people.

The more than 60 current Indigenous NRL players have also nominated with which First Nations people they identify from the AIATSIS map of Australia.

The Wiradjuri nation in central NSW is supplying a host of NRL talent including Blake Ferguson, Kotoni Staggs, Adam Elliott and Jack Wighton.

The Bundjalung nation - a coastal region on the NSW-Queensland border - is also heavily represented through the likes of Ryan James, James Roberts, Cody Walker, Wade Graham, Brian Kelly, Tyrone Roberts and Corey Thompson.

The lists were compiled through consultation with clubs, venues, players, local councils, local Aboriginal land councils and local community groups.

Where traditional custodians have been unclear, the NRL said it had acknowledged the identified groups.

"The NRL believe that education on the complexities of traditional ownership is an important part of our past and encourage all Australians to continue these discussions," the NRL said in a statement.

Indigenous Round

Venues

Match	Venue	Nation naming
Dragons v Rabbitohs	Netstrata Jubilee Stadium	Netstrata Jubilee Stadium - Home of the Bidjigal/Bediagal peoples
Tigers v Warriors	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney Cricket Ground - Home of the Gadigal people
Broncos v Sharks	Suncorp Stadium	Suncorp Stadium - Home of the Yuggera & Turrbal peoples
Roosters v Titans	Sydney Cricket Ground	Sydney Cricket Ground - Home of the Gadigal people
Cowboys v Raiders	Queensland Country Bank Stadium	Queensland Country Bank Stadium - Home of the Wulgurukaba peoples
Sea Eagles v Panthers	Lottoland	Lottoland - Home of the Gayamaygal & Garigal peoples
Bulldogs v Eels	ANZ Stadium	ANZ Stadium - Home of the Burramattagal & Wangal peoples
Storm v Knights	Sunshine Coast Stadium	Sunshine Coast Stadium - Home of the Kabi Kabi people

NRL clubs

Club	Nation
Sydney Roosters	Gadigal people
Canberra Raiders	Ngunnawal people
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Bidjigal/Bediagal people
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Gweagal people
Gold Coast Titans	Yugembah people
Manly Sea Eagles	Gayamaygal & Garigal peoples
Melbourne Storm	Wurundjeri people
Newcastle Knights	Awabakal people
North Queensland Cowboys	Wulgurukaba people
Parramatta Eels	Burramattagal people
Penrith Panthers	Darug people
South Sydney Rabbitohs	Gadigal people
St George Illawarra Dragons	Dharawal & Yuin nations
New Zealand Warriors	Aotearoa
Wests Tigers	Dharawal & Eora nations
Brisbane Broncos	Yuggera and Turrbal peop

Players

Broncos: Jack Bird (Yuin), David Fifita (Badu Island), Kotoni Staggs (Wiradjuri);
Bulldogs: Adam Elliott (Wiradjuri), Tyrone Harding (Murrawarri), Chris Smith (Lurijta Arrente), Reimis Smith (Wiradjuri & Bundjalung), Isaiah Tass (Yuibera);
Cowboys: Reuben Cotter (Boigu Island), Scott Drinkwater (Wiradjuri), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Saibai Island);
Dragons: Tyrell Fuimaono (Wiradjuri), Josh Kerr (Quandamooka), Jason Saab (Anaiwan), Tristan Sailor (Erub (Darnley) Island), Jayden Sullivan (Yuin);
Eels: Blake Ferguson (Wiradjuri), Jai Field (Wiradjuri), Will Smith (Gumbaingirr &
Wonnarua);
Knights: Edrick Lee (Badu & Moa Islands), Gehamat Shibasaki (Boigu & Murray Islands), Tyronne Roberts-Davis (Bundjalung), Connor Watson (Gamilaroi);
Panthers: Daine Laurie (Bundjalung & Yaegl), Brayden McGrady (Gamilaroi), Glenn McGrady (Gamilaroi), Brent Naden (Wiradjuri);
Rabbitohs: Braidon Burns (Gamilaroi & Wiradjuri), Josh Cook (Bidjigal & Yuin), Troy Dargan (Gumbaynggir), Dane Gagai (Yam & Badu Islands), Alex Johnston (Saibai Island), Latrell Mitchell (Biripi), James Roberts (Bundjalung), Cody Walker (Bundjalung & Yuin);
Raiders: Sebastian Kris, Jack Wighton (Wiradjuri);
Roosters: N/A;
Sea Eagles: Jade Anderson (Wiradjuri), Cade Cust, Reed Izzard, Zac Saddler (Wiradjuri), Joel Thompson (Ngiyaampa);
Sharks: Andrew Fifita (Wiradjuri), Wade Graham (Bundjalung), William Kennedy (Gamilaroi), Jesse Ramien (Wiradjuri), Braydon Trindall (Gamilaroi);
Storm: Josh Addo-Carr (Wiradjuri), Jack Bowyer (Guugu Yimithirr & Olkola), Nicho Hynes (Wiradjuri), Brenko Lee (Argun/Badu);
Tigers: N/A;
Titans: Ryan James (Bundjalung), Brian Kelly (Bundjalung), Tyrone Peachey (Wiradjuri), Jonus Pearson (Hammond Island), Nathan Peats (Biripi), Tyrone Roberts (Bundjalung), Treymain Spry (Badu Island), Corey Thompson (Bundjalung), Ash Taylor (Munanjali & Yuwalaraay);
Warriors: Josh Curran (Darug), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Kaurna & Narungga)