Cultural awareness and workshop sessions involving NRL and NRLW players, along with football and admin staff, the continuing promotion of programs carried out by Indigenous Health partner Deadly Choices, as well as special game day activities, added up to the Sharks recognising and celebrating the significance of National Reconciliation Week
With the week culminating in the Sharks NRL squad wearing the specially designed Indigenous Jersey for a second consecutive game when they hosted the Broncos at PointsBet Stadium, the series of events and initiatives conducted, aligned with the Club’s efforts at supporting and embracing reconciliation.
See following a snapshot of some of the highlights from Reconciliation Week.
Monday - Cultural Awareness with Aunty Barb Simms
In a personal and at times confronting session held at Sharks at Kareela, La Perouse Elder Aunty Barb Simms addressed an attentive group of Sharks staff about her experiences and those of her father and siblings, on the challenges of growing up at the La Perouse Mission.
Of Gweagal bloodlines and a child of the Stolen Generations, Aunty Barb encouraged those in the room to learn and embrace the history of First Nations People in Cronulla and the Sutherland Shire, detailed the events that took place at Kurnell with the arrival of the First Fleet and the related impact hat landing had on local Aboriginal people.
Aunty Barb also emphasised the important role non-Indigenous people play in reconciliation and stressed need for them to walk with First Nations people.
Spears Workshop
Later on Monday and following a team recovery session, the Sharks NRL squad and football staff participated were educated about the history of the Kamay spears and the La Perouse local Aboriginal community's campaign to have the spears repatriated.
In a workshop hosted by Ray Ingrey, Chairman of the Gujaga Foundation and the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance, the group heard the story of the three Indigenous spears taken by the Endeavour crew of Lieutenant James Cook from Kamay (Botany Bay) in 1770, which had up until recently been displayed in a British museum.
The Kamay spears, shaped by the hands of those who came before and telling their own story of tradition and history, were returned to Sydney in April last year for the first time since taken more than 250 years ago.
Last year during Indigenous Round, Sharks staff, players and School to Work Youth Leadership ambassadors visited the spears at the University of Sydney, with La Perouse artist Jordan Ardler telling the story of the spears through our 2023 Indigenous Round jersey artwork.
To read more on the Kurranulla Sharks Indigenous jersey and background to the artwork – CLICK HERE
The Sharks released the jersey as a fan/member merchandise item, along with an indigenous merchandise range which was well received.
Tuesday - Cultural Awareness and Art session with Aunty Deanna Schreiber
Volunteers aligned with Shark Have Heart programs including Heart to Heart, From the Heart Giving Partners, sporting partners and local JRL Clubs, were invited to learn more about local Aboriginal communities at a cultural awareness and art session conducted by local Elder Aunty Deanna Schreiber.
The purpose of the session was to learn about Indigenous story-telling and how it is portrayed through artwork, while the group also worked collaboratively to create a cultural gift to present to the Broncos at the round 15 NRL game on Saturday night.
Wednesday – World No Tobacco Day – Deadly Choices
Sharks Community Engagement Lead and Gamilaraay woman Rachal Allan attended a World No Tobacco Day event in La Perouse.
Hosted by the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Na Joomelah Tackling Indigenous Smoking team, the day also promoted Deadly Choices, the 715 health checks, while encouraging pledges from those in attendance to give up smoking or vaping.
Driven my Ms Allan and Indigenous Programs coordinator Jada Taylor, with the regular school visits the Sharks continued to promote the Deadly Choices program throughout the week.
Thursday - NRLW Cultural Awareness Session
Conducted by Dharawal knowledge holder, Dr Jodi Edwards, the Sharks NRLW squad were treated to a cultural awareness session.
With the Sharks living, working and playing on the Lands of the Gweagal, the fire clan of the Dharawal Nation, Aunty Jodi spoke to the team about the diversity of fire and how it was used by Aboriginal people, from a warning sign or as a way to communicate with other clans, to providing light and warmth, for cooking or for regenerating resources.
Aunty Jodi spoke to the Sharks women about nurturing the fire within and within that of their teammates.
The theme of smoke and fire was depicted in the artwork of the Indigenous jersey worn by the Sharks NRL team.
Friday – Deadly Choices
The Sharks NRL squad proudly wore Deadly Choices training shirts at their Captain's Run session in a display of support for the important Indigenous Health program.
The Sharks are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people encouraging Deadly Choices.
Acknowledgement of Country plaque
Sharks Indigenous Great Whites Phil Dotti #212 and David Peachey #292 joined staff at the unveiling of an Acknowledgement of Country plaque.
Located at the western entrance to Pointsbet Stadium, the Sharks believed the plaque to be important for the team, members and fans to acknowledge that the stadium is on the Aboriginal lands of the Gweagal.
Dotti spoke passionately about his experiences while a player at the Sharks and his pride at the Club’s efforts in supporting reconciliation, with his thoughts backed up by Peachey who had earlier addressed the NRL playing group following their training session as to the significance of the week.
Saturday - Game Day
In the lead up to the Sharks v Broncos match, Chair of Kurranulla, Aunty Deanna Schreiber provided an Acknowledgment of Country, with children from Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation dance group performing for the sell-out crowd.
Local junior rugby league teams from Kurnell Stingrays, Menai Roosters, Taren Point Titans and Como Crocs played exhibition games both pre and at half-time of the NRL match, with each sporting special indigenous-design jerseys.
The Aramex Volunteers of the Round were two local Indigenous students to have participated in the 2022 NRL School to Work program and before also representing the Sharks at the Youth Leadership Summit. They both now volunteer with Shark Crew.
The NRL coin toss featuring team captains Dale Finucane and Adam Reynolds from Brisbane, was performed by Jamal Chami, the Sharks School to Work Programs Officer, while the Aunty Deanna and Sharks volunteers painting was presented as a gift to the Broncos.
After launching in the lead up to, then wearing the 2023 Indigenous Jersey against the Knights in Coffs Harbour, the Sharks again played in the Jordan Ardler designed jersey in the match against the Broncos, in telling the story of the Sharks indigenous players and the local Aboriginal people.
