Minister for Indigenous Australians
Subject: Camp Sovereignty.
LEILA GURRUWIWI, HOST: We're going to speak now to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Senator, are you there?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I am Leila. Hello.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Hello! How are you?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Happy birthday to Aiden.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Thank you so much for coming on 3KND today and Midday Rush to have a quick yarn with us about what you're doing all the way down here on Wurundjeri and Bunurong country in Naarm. How long have you been here?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: I came in yesterday from Darwin, from Larrakia Country Leila and it was really special to be a part of the gathering at Camp Sovereignty and spend time with people and listen to people about how they were feeling, especially after last week.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yeah, and what did it feel like for you, Senator, when you saw the images? Of course, we were all kind of bombarded with them on social media. How did that feel for you seeing that?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Absolutely horrified, horrified to see it. It was reprehensible, the behaviour, the attack and it just immediately raised so many concerns, not just in circles that I know, but from around the country Leila, as it did with everyone. Anyone who saw the hate in that day and the attacks from people, just made many people very afraid. So, I think gathering yesterday, I know there was a gathering on Saturday too and I heard that that was really, really beautiful. It was good to be able to really, on the weekend, I think for everyone, to let the families who gather at Camp Sovereignty know that people are with them. I certainly wanted to do that when I was there yesterday.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: I think the wonderful thing about this whole kind of weekend of activation, if you will, at Camp Sovereignty was the fact that it was so quickly put together after. It was a wonderful kind of response to what happened last weekend and the fact that there were mob from all over that wanted to be a part of it and -
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yeah, totally. And I think the good thing too, is that mob are watching, they're sending their love in different ways, if they couldn't physically be here. It really was something that people saw and said, "no, that's not the country we are, we are not a country that does that to people. This hate, this violence, is not us." And I think that was a really strong message, but it was a deeper one, I think, for First Nations in that we are spiritual people and that gathering yesterday reaffirmed that with a healing ceremony, with a chance to feel Country. We danced, we were invited to dance and there were beautiful dances that took place around the fire in terms of just bringing people together and spirituality and that sense of peace and calming of the spirit is also who we are as a people as First Nations. And that's the love that was really felt and we need to make sure we use that as our weapon of grace to bring people together, love.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yes, exactly and that's why as mob, I think we always kind of lead with love in our spaces and places and we can definitely see that happened over the weekend with Sovereignty Day Out, which happened on Saturday, as you mentioned, Senator, with all of the amazing people that spoke and Uncle Robbie Thorpe, who spoke a number of times and I'd imagine he spoke yesterday when you were there as a part of the healing ceremony, which was just for mob, which was beautiful and amazing. What was it like for you to be a part of that healing ceremony?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: It was exactly that. I also came not as just the Minister for Indigenous Australians, I came as a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman from my Country and know the importance and the sacredness of ceremony. Especially of healing and I came with that respect and honouring that on this Country, letting the families there know that I was there with them, but also that we joined together with our songs and dances. We talked about songlines and how as First Nations people we are linked, but there's an even greater linkage with all people around us. And that universal linkage is one of love and kindness and support, and making sure that no one gets hurt. That was a really clear message from the healing ceremony.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yeah wonderful and did Uncle Robbie Thorpe have a little bit of a chat yesterday with you or did he do a speech?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: It was great to see Uncle Robbie Thorpe. I had spoken to him during the week when I was in the Senate, I couldn't come any earlier. We had parliament during the week, but I was able to speak in the Senate and express my views and support from there, but also my condemnation of the horrible, horrible behaviour, atrocious and hateful violence that we saw. So, to speak with Uncle Robbie Thorpe in person yesterday and just to hug them all and just stand with them and just say "I'm here". So, I really appreciated that and they did invite me to speak. I hadn't expected to speak Leila, I just wanted to go and let mob know I'm here and I am here for them and then they did ask me to speak and I certainly shared my thoughts with those present, much like I'm doing with you now.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yes, yes. No, that's really wonderful that you were able to come down and support Uncle Robbie Thorpe and all of the mob here in Naarm, who were deeply, deeply affected by the attack on Camp Sovereignty. And the fact, like we mentioned before, the fact that that space was activated in less than a week to create Sovereignty Day Out and opportunities for mob to connect and reconnect and heal in that space was so important. And unfortunately I wasn't able to get to the healing ceremony yesterday, Senator, but I did go on Saturday for Sovereignty Day Out for a couple of hours with my sister girl and my little boy there, and the energy there is just really beautiful.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: That's lovely. That's what we needed.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yes, exactly. It's what we needed, the answer to all of that hate that we saw the week before and it was beautiful that you were able to do that. How much longer are you in Naarm, Senator?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: I'm certainly here for today, I've been able to catch up with quite a few people, I'm conscious that there's big events happening this week. You've got the Treaty possibly coming up in terms of the Treaty bill, which I think is really, really a great first step in terms of this state leading the rest of Australia with that conversation. So, I'm certainly meeting with the First Peoples' Assembly and just touching base and wishing them all the best with that step in terms of Treaty here in Victoria.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yes, it is a really exciting step for Treaty and hopefully, if that all goes through and happens, there'll be movement in other spaces and places for First Nations people.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Absolutely and I think the coming together of everyone, post what happened last week, was probably the priority, but I'm pleased to be here and just a big shout out to all families who are listening, stay strong. We know the right things to do in terms of looking out for one another, so make sure you look out for each other and stay strong, Leila, thank you.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: That's right. Thank you, Senator, so much for having a yarn with us this morning. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here in Naarm and I wish you nothing but safe travels when you head back up to Larrakia Country.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yo, thank you.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Yo manymak.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yo manymak.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: Mah djututj.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Yo.
LEILA GURRUWIWI: And that was Senator Malarndirri McCarthy speaking to us there.
