On August 14, champion former Essendon player Michael Long arrived in Canberra, having walked there from Melbourne.
Ahead of the Voice referendum on October 14, and to commemorate his first long walk in 2004, Long had one question for Australians: “Where is the love for my people?”
In 2004, he walked from Wurundjeri Country (Melbourne) to Ngunnawal-Ngambri Country (Canberra) for respect and unity. This year, just like in 2004, he’s walking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be heard.
He’s also encouraged the public to join him in the walk with a shared vision of giving Indigenous Australians a voice.
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said, “This year, just like in 2004, we stand at a moment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are asking to be heard.
“Reconciliation is everyone’s business, every day of the year, but now more than ever we need to step up to the plate.
“We need to take inspiration from Longy and push for a more just, equitable and reconciled country.”
As the Sydney Morning Herald has reported, “Time and again, in school halls and at footy ovals, Long would come back to the same point: Australia has to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and the Voice to parliament will help do that.”
