More than 15,000 support Indigenous achievement at The Long Walk 2011

Over 15,000 people walked with Michael Long and other Indigenous achievers including Nova Peris, Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Rachel Perkins, Anita Heiss, Malarndirri McCarthy, Karl Hampton, Pauline Whyman and Gilbert McAdam in support of Indigenous wellbeing in Melbourne on Saturday 21 May.
The great weather, talented line up, two winning sides and the will of the people combined for a record attendance at The Long Walk in Melbourne. The crowds were drawn in from the very start by the fantastic gathering of Indigenous dancers for the Koorioboree. Over 50 dancers from around Victoria celebrated the survival and diversity of Victorian Indigenous dance and the critical mass of dancers was a true show of Indigenous achievement.
The Red Flag Dancers from Numbawar in the Northern Territory brought another dimension to the array of dance on offer and were another example of Indigenous achievement coming from the Northern Territory. Minister Malarndirri McCarthy
There were great films on view thanks to the fabulous programming of Messagesticks Film Festival, author Anita Heiss in conversation with Belinda Duarte added a touch of class, Lady Lash brought the soul, and the hip hop workshops by Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, face painting thanks to Jeep, Telstra photo booth with AFL players, MAYSAR traditional games and hand ball competitions by ABS kept the kids (and bigger kids) busy. And the whole show was MC’d with lots of laughs by Indigenous comedian Kevin Kropinyeri.
A moving tribute to Maurice Rioli was given by former Richmond player, Phil Egan and Northern Territory Chief Minister, Paul Henderson. Michael Long also paid tribute to world champion Lionel Rose.
The crowd was really into it by the time Coloured Stone hit the stage. A legendary band performing for over 25 years, they kicked things off with the classic, Kapi Pulka. With their famous drummer Bart Willoughby, just out of hospital and watching from the sidelines, the band called in a favour from Rob Hurst of Midnight Oil to beat the skins. But the magic moment was when the band said they would only come back for an encore if Michael Long would join them. Known to be able to hold a tune, and absolutely honoured to be asked to sing with the legendary band, Michael Long joined them to sing, Black Boy, one of Coloured Stone’s timeless anthems.
The 15,000 strong crowd then joined Michael on the walk from Federation Square to the MCG, where 600 people walked with Michael onto the MCG as part of the pre-match entertainment at Dreamtime at the ‘G.
On Saturday 28 May The Long Walk was celebrated in Darwin at TIO Stadium before the Richmond v Port Adelaide game. 300 local school children and their teachers, along with representatives from Indigenous organizations and the Long and Rioli families walked a lap of the ground while marking the Northern Territory’s Centenary. They walked while Shellie Morris serenaded the crowd, who later heard a special song from Jack Long in honour of his grandfather (and Michael’s father) of the same name.
The Long Walk thanks all those who showed their support in both Melbourne and Darwin in a great celebration of Indigenous achievement.