The “Walk with Us” forum was held live on-line Thursday evening featuring panel discussions with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Olympians, questions from Olympians and presentations from prominent Indigenous figures Stan Grant and Dean Parkin. 

Originally an initiative of the AOC Athletes’ Commission, the forum was embraced by the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, Chaired by Sydney 2000 sprinter Patrick Johnson.   

“There have been 52 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Olympians who have proudly represented their country,” Mr Johnson said.

“By holding this forum during NAIDOC Week, there’s a great opportunity to tell our story to fellow Olympians and our future Olympians.

“That story is not necessarily an easy one, so I thank Steve Hooker and the AOC Athletes’ Commission for promoting the idea and showing such a willingness to absorb both the painful aspects of our Indigenous past and the hope we all have collectively for the future. 

“Hence the title - Walk with Us. As Australians, we have to come together and learn from each other.”

Broadcaster and athlete Tanisha Stanton was MC for the forum, which was divided into three parts:

• Acknowledge the Past – an examination of Australia’s Indigenous history including inter-generational trauma
• Come Together in the Present – looking at contemporary issues
• Walk Together in the Future – the way ahead

Panellists across the sessions were Olympians Patrick Johnson, Beki Smith, Kyle Vander Kuyp, Danny Morseu and Steve Hooker. Acknowledgements of Country came from Patty Mills and Cate Campbell.

AOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Steve Hooker says the forum is an important first step in providing critical information to Australia’s Olympic movement.

“The Athletes’ Commission believes Olympians themselves can play a huge role in the reconciliation process. They are out there in their communities working, training and competing.”

“But first, as Olympians, we need this first-hand knowledge and this forum put together by the Indigenous Advisory Committee provides that important first step to gaining that information.

“I have learned that it’s OK to ask questions about Indigenous issues. I have learned so much by asking Patrick and other members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee about their perspectives,” he said.

Broadcaster Stan Grant and Dean Parkin, who played a key role in the development of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, provided context around contemporary issues. Dean invited Olympians to read the Uluru Statement.

London 2012 Olympic racewalker Beki Smith says the forum was an inspiring start in bringing Indigenous stories to her Olympian colleagues.

“I was inspired by Stan Grant’s words. He talked about Indigenous athletes being the gateway to the broader Australian community. That athletes have this great power to share our stories.

“For my own part, it’s been those Indigenous Olympians from the past who paved the way for me. We owe them so much. I believed in my dream and that showed me the way.

“I hope that I could also inspire young people and also bring our stories to many more Australians,” she said.

In 2015, the AOC changed its Constitution “to recognise the heritage, culture and contribution of our nation’s first people, and to give practical support to the issues of Indigenous reconciliation through sport.”

The AOC is currently drafting its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as a critical ingredient of its Indigenous Strategy. The RAP will drive the AOC’s contribution to reconciliation internally, with stakeholders and the community.