Elders of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation are calling on former U.S. President Barack Obama to pay his respect to Wurundjeri people and culture during a visit to Melbourne this week.
Wurundjeri Elders want high-profile dignitaries to visit the site of the former Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve, including the Coranderrk cemetery and the headstone of Wurundjeri's last Ngurungaeta (headman) William Barak or meet with Elders at Wurundjeri land at Abbostford Convent.
Former President Obama landed in Australia today as part of a speaking tour with former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation A/CEO Donald Betts, a former U.S. State Senator who campaigned alongside Obama when he first ran for U.S. Senate and then twice for President, wants Obama to take up the invitation to better understand the cultural protocols when visiting the lands of Australia's First Nations peoples.
"This is a matter of paying due respect to Australia's first peoples in the first instance but it's also a chance to take a leading role in reconciliation," Mr Betts said.
"For a former U.S. President to visit is one thing, but it sends a really strong message to the rest of the world that the culture and rights of First Nations communities matter.
"We want President Obama to hear our voice and set a standard that when foreign dignitaries visit Melbourne, even when politicians from other parts of Australia visit Melbourne, they pay their respect to the first people, to the Wurundjeri."
Wurundjeri's last Ngurungaeta William Barak was the first recognised Aboriginal artist of true significance. His art sells at worldwide auction houses, fetching prices in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
More than that was Barak's legacy as an influential spokesperson for his people on social justice, and his impact on the preservation of Wurundjeri culture and lore.
Knowing his culture was at risk of destruction after the arrival of Europeans, Barak recorded Wurundjeri life in art to preserve it.
Key Facts:
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders are calling on former U.S. President Barack Obama to pay his respect to Wurundjeri people and culture during a visit to Melbourne this week.
Wurundjeri A/CEO Donald Betts, a former U.S. State Senator who campaigned alongside Obama when he first ran for U.S. Senate and then twice for President, wants Obama to take up the invitation to better understand the cultural protocols when visiting the lands of Australia's First Nations peoples.
Wurundjeri Elders want visitors to see the site of the former Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve, or meet with Elders on Wurudnjeri land at Abbosford Convent.
We want President Obama to HEAR OUR VOICE and set a standard when others visit Melbourne (Narrm).
About us:
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1985 by Wurundjeri Elders. As a representative body for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, the Traditional Owners of Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne region, it is the oldest and longest running Traditional Owner organisation in Victoria.
