During the NRL Indigenous Round, where the indigenous players and their cultures are celebrated across the game, Sharks at Kareela kicked off the week with a special plaque unveiling.
An event attended by local Elder Aunty Deanna Schreiber, Sharks Indigenous star Will Kennedy, along with Sharks Have Heart and Sharks at Kareela staff, the plaque will take pride of place towards the entrance of the club in displaying a commitment to driving reconciliation, not just during this week but all year round.
“We were proud to kick off the 2022 NRL Indigenous Round with this event, showing our respect for the Gweagal, the fire clan of the Dharawal Nation, to the ongoing relationship Aboriginal people have with the land around us, and the long, surviving cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Sharks Indigenous Programs Coordinator Rachal Allan said in introducing the plaque on Monday.
“Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians,” she said.
The Sharks are proud to have recently launched a second ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan which supports the commitment to sustainably and to strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation, with this second Sharks RAP based around the core pillars of relationships, respect, and opportunities.
Having an endorsed RAP has allowed the Sharks to develop a framework to keep the club accountable and to continue strengthening the knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and histories.
“Occasions such as today demonstrate the Sharks commitment to showing respect for the Traditional Owners, to continue strengthening our relationships with local Aboriginal organisations and community members, as well as a commitment to engage all staff and members from all walks of life to join us in celebrating the world’s oldest continuing culture, and the ongoing connection Aboriginal people have to the land, not only here in Kurranulla, but across Australia,” Ms Allan added.
At the ceremony Aunty Deanna conducted An Acknowledgement of Country, a statement that shows awareness of and respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land and their long, continuing relationship with the land.
With the Sharks strong representation of Indigenous players in their squad and their commitment to reconciliation through the RAP plan, a number of other cultural activities are planned throughout the week leading into Saturday night’s indigenous round game against the Roosters.
