22 August 2020, Darwin, Australia
Ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Richard Fejo and I’m a Larrakia man of direct male descent of the Larrakia from my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather in what we Larrakia call grandfather lore.
We the Larrakia, the traditional owners and custodians of Darwin and its surrounding regions.
And since the time of the Dreamtime, our people have been the first people to walk across this land.
But as I see tonight, people from all over the world have joined us this evening. And I see you in the crowd, and I see you on the football field, and it’s my honour to welcome you to Darwin and Larrakia land.
I have a special welcome tonight because tonight I want to acknowledge all Larrakia who are in attendance. I want to welcome the Tiwi people, I want to welcome the Jawoyn people, I want to welcome the Anindilyakwa people, I want to welcome the Buranpatha people, I want to welcome the Warlpiri and the Wurumingal people, I want to welcome the Aranda people, because we are all countrymen.
I want to welcome the Yamatji, I want to welcome the Noongas, I want to welcome the Kooris, the Murris the Nungars, I want to welcome our brothers and sisters from Tasmania, and I want to welcome our Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, and indigenous people from all around the world, and I want to welcome our non-indigenous people to Darwin and Larrakia country,
Ayyyyyyyyyy
Welcome to the Dreamtime in Darwin,
Look after each other and look after yourselves. You have come by way of Larrakia land. You will hear the voices of our ancestors. And when you leave you will take the Larrakia message with you.
Reverend W Fejo, ladies and gentlemen it’s an honour to welcome each and every one you to Larrakia land. May your ancestors guide and protect you always, and may the best team win! Thank you.