The GIANTS would like to acknowledge 2021 NAIDOC Week which is currently being celebrated across Australia. 

NAIDOC week represents another chance for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction. It asks us to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. Heal Country, heal our nation.

Earlier this week proud Minang and Ingaarda man Andrew Krakouer shared his personal experience of racism and cultural awareness with the GIANTS playing group and staff. 

The former Richmond and Collingwood star told the group about his turbulent journey into the AFL, turning his life around, and using his platform to educate Australians about Indigenous culture.

GIANTS Indigenous stars Jeremy Finlayson and Bobby Hill said NAIDOC Week was a great opportunity for the club to reflect on the contribution achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the football community.

“It was good to have Andrew down to tell the group about his life and his journey both inside and outside of the AFL," said Hill. 

“It’s a great opportunity to teach the non indigenous people of Australia our culture and what we’ve been through.

"That’s our main objective, to teach and educate." 

Finlayson said it was an honour to have the 2011 AFL Grand Finalist speak in front go the group. 

"Obviously it's NAIDOC Week this week and the theme is healing country, and Andrew shared his story from the heart," he said. 

"He showed how hard his road was, his ups and downs and we couldn’t thank him enough for coming in."