Community Conversations by Clothing The Gaps

Community Conversations is a new podcast — it’s a series of yarns with mob hosted by Paul Stewart (Stewy) a Taungurong man. Community Conversations exists to further elevate First Nations voices and causes and is an opportunity to discover and understand more about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community who generously share their stories about who they are and what they stand for.

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Community Conversations by Clothing The Gaps

'Spirit of the March' Poem

September 17, 2023 • Clothing The Gaps

Spirit of the March watch YouTube video.
The reasons at the heart of why First Nations people March.

Listen to the words of Joanne and appreciate that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people march they don't just walk for the reason outlined on the event poster - it's much deeper and personal than that! We march for our ancestors, we march for justice, we march for equality....

Spoken by:
Robbie Thorpe (Gunai Kurnai)
Dougie Briggs (Yorta Yorta, Wirundjeri)
Courtney Ugle (Noongar)
Medika Thorpe (Gunai Kurnai, Narungga, Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara)
Nick Pearce (Co-founder, HoMie)
Ellen Jacobsen (Social Impact Manager, HoMie)

Written by:
Joanne Dwyer (Gunditjamra)

Directed by:
Clothing The Gaps

Sound by:
Tori Yuksel

Music by:
Daen Ellis (Gunai, Yorta Yorta, Waka- Waka and Gunditjmara)

Spirit Of The March by Joanne Dwyer

We march in honour of our ancestors, whose blood has coloured this land, their stories of struggle and sacrifice, we carry protectively in our hands.

We march for those too old to walk, but who have given their lives to Community, we carry their spirit and acknowledge their strength they are the reason we stand in unity.

We march for our silent achievers, who have never received awards, we may not know their names, but our feet honour them in applause.

We march for those who have died in custody, the lack of justice and the pain, we won’t forget your families suffering, we will always remember your names.

We march for those who have taken their lives, and whose spirits have been assailed, too sad and broken to continue this life, with no will to prevail.

We march to protect our sacred sites, ancient life etched into the sands, the spirits of our ancestors and keepers of culture, being destroyed by government and corporate hands.

We march for our brothers and sisters, who come from far away soils, we stand with them in peace and solidarity, to end brutality and racist turmoil.

We march with those to support their fight, and to celebrate their revival, we see the injustice and raise our voices in the name of truth, freedom and survival.

Written by Joanne Dwyer (Gunditjmara) 2020