“The cultural context in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is just a reflection of how serious they are about reconciliation”-Yugembeh educator Ted Williams
The celebration of Indigenous culture in the programming of the Commonwealth Games is part of a historic decision taken by the Gold Coast Organising Committee (GOLDOC) to go beyond the sporting competition alone and use the games as a platform to affirm a commitment to reconciliation and unity.
One of the earlier decisions taken by GOLDOC to promote reconciliation was initiated with the decision to embed Indigenous themes in all aspects of the games ranging from clothing down to the design of the medals.
In March last year this commitment to Reconciliation reached a new height when two Gold Coast Yugambeh leaders, Patricia O’Connor and Ted Williams became the first Indigenous people invited in London to take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations alongside Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a games tradition that calls Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in a peaceful and friendly competition.
Organisers decided to go beyond the traditional call to athletes.
Ted Williams was given the opportunity to make a specific call to First Nations peoples from all countries of the Commonwealth to take part in the Gold Coast games.
His call was warmly accepted leading to a special event held at Dreamworld last Sunday where First Nations participants were honored. Gifts of welcome were presented to them and they reciprocated.
Some of the First Nations groups, including Canadian, Maori and Sri-Lankan performers shared traditional song and dance.
Commonwealth dignitaries at the highest level included the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Federal Minister for sport as well as the CEO of GOLDOC who attended the event.
“It is lovely to say you are doing reconciliation but I like to see it being done.”
Speaking at this event the Commonwealth Games Federation President (CGF), Louise Martin CBE said history has already been made as the local Indigenous community welcomes many First Nations representatives from around the Commonwealth for the first time at a Commonwealth Games.
Louise Martin (CBE) says “Building on the experiences and achievements of the Reconciliation Action Plan here on the Gold Coast, we must seize the opportunity to begin a wider conversation about moving towards Indigenous Reconciliation through sport and develop clear benchmarks for major sporting events which take place on First Nations land (Yugembeh).”
GOLDOC CEO Peter Beattie says these games are of historic importance. “It symbolises a coming together as one of members of the Commonwealth of Nations, with a traditional welcome and a Yugambeh cultural performance followed by an exchange from several of the participating nations and territories.”
The ‘Yabru’ or ‘First Welcome’ to the nation in the Yugambeh Language was directed by Ted Williams.
Speaking with NITV Radio he welcomed the opportunity given to him and commended the organisation and operation of the Gold Coast games.
Mr Williams says they illustrate a best practice Reconciliation Action Plan, “It is lovely to say you are doing reconciliation but I like to see it being done.”
The 2018 Gold Coast games medals were designed by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins from Quandamooka Country on the Stradbroke Island.
Patricia O'Connor's grandmother was born in the 1850s and her story inspired the use of macadamia nut wood in the games' Queens Baton's design.
Throughout the games the gold Coast will become a cultural festival celebrating theatre, circus, dance, culture, visual arts and film from the South east Queensland, Australia and across the globe.
