Celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the Long Walk
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Michael Long’s walk to Canberra to make a stand against racial abuse, and to put First Nations issues back on the National Agenda. The NIAA is providing $70,000 for venue hire and First Nations entertainment.
It’s been 20 years since Michael Long left his home in the suburbs of Melbourne to make a stand against racism by walking the 650 kilometre journey to Parliament House in Canberra. He was determined to get the then Prime Minister (PM) of Australia, the Hon. John Howard to put First Nations issues back on the national agenda.
At about the 300 kilometre mark in Albury, just over the NSW border, Michael learned that the PM was ready and willing to meet him – but he had to finish the journey by car to fit into his busy schedule.
Surrounded by First Nations leaders, he spent an hour talking to the PM about the issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and urged him come out and visit communities.
Over the years, Michael’s Long Walk has become a mission of hope. What started as a walk fuelled by pain and frustration has become a walk fuelled by hope and pride with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians coming together to celebrate First Nations culture.
The Long Walk keeps getting bigger and better every year, with its awards winning events program drawing in sponsors large and small wanting to be part of the reconciliation journey.
This year the National Indigenous Australians Agency is contributing $70,000 to help cover the costs of venue hire and First Nations performers.
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary, Michael Long and the Long Walk- Naarm 2024 will return to Melbourne with live music performed by some of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists including Briggs, Madi Colville Walker and Deans of Soul. Free sport and art activations will be available for the whole family, and food trucks will keep everyone going.
There are many other ways to be part of the celebrations. You can walk all or part of the way, host or join a Little Long Walk or simply make a donation to Walk the Talk, an education program designed to teach the true and powerful history of First Nations peoples.
The celebrations will culminate in the ‘walk to the G’ with participants making their way onto the hallowed grounds of the MCG before Essendon and Richmond kick-off the annual ‘Dreamtime at the G’ match – another 20 year anniversary!