Hundreds gathered in Boorloo / Perth Sunday at Forrest Place, the scene of the Invasion Day rally on January 26 which was the target of an alleged terrorist attack.
Speakers called for unity, justice, healing and truth.
Elder Nick Abraham delivered a powerful Welcome to Country that dug deeply into the history of Boorloo, the knowledge passed from generation to generation, and the shocking disruption of culture and Country brought by colonisation.
"All of a sudden we had no say... All of a sudden we were trespassing on Crown land and private property. This disconnected us from our Boodja, and that's where our community is today - picking up the pieces of this disconnection and this disruption," he said.
"Despite all this recent disruption, our people's spirits are still here. Despite all this recent disruption, our spirit stories are still here; We are still here.
"The good spirits walk with us, and keep us safe while we are here to reclaim this part of our Country.
"For us to understand, and open our eyes... we must appreciate what was, what is, what our people are still living, and hope of what could be."
Tina Hayden carried out the smoking ceremony, inviting all present to walk through the smoke.
Elder Barbara Moore spoke about her experience of being in Forrest Place on Invasion Day - the day a bomb was thrown into the crowd.
"I was sitting on this stage with another Elder, I have been to a lot of rallies, a lot of protests for justice for our people... I have been through a lot of things; I'm a survivor," she said.
"I have come to many many rallies, but this one here today - I did get fear but I refuse to live in fear, I won't let anyone like him (the alleged terrorist) stop me from coming here and standing in solidary with my people. I love my people, and I will stand - until the day I die - for my people.
"I hope we will get justice."
Ballardong Noongar advocate Roxy Moore, who - alongside Fabian Yarran, Uncle Hedley Hayward and Uncle Herbert Bropho - was one of the Invasion Day rally organisers, said it was difficult to be back at the site of that rally.
"Like many others since Invasion Day I have not been able to sleep properly, I have had to take time off work, some days I just cry," they said.
"What we experienced that day was a horrific trauma which could have been so much worse, but it is still so devastating. As a community it has really shaken us to our core. It is OK if you are still struggling - so am I - you're not alone.
"Every day I thank the ancestors that the alleged bomb thrown at us by the alleged terrorist - Liam Alexander Hall - it did not explode, and I know the ancestors protected us.
"It was targeted at us as Aboriginal people on Invasion Day, a day we tell the truth about invasion, about the massacres, about the genocide... Many of us would have died, including myself, had that bomb exploded. I know the ancestors protected us that day."
Moore noted that while the event on Sunday was about healing, "to heal, we also have to deal with the alleged racism and hatred that led to this attack upon us, and to do that we need to acknowledge the racism that impacts and is killing our people in institutions; police, prisons, hospitals and child protection".
"We have always known about the lethal threat of white supremacy, in this country and in this state, up until now we have had that truth denied by courts and authorities."
Moore encouraged everyone to listen to Boodja and let Boodja hold them as they heal.
"It's also about how we hold each other as mob... It is those little sparks of Black joy that will keep up going, and sustain us... fighting for a better tomorrow.
"Today is just the start, and we need to see real systemic change coming out of this horror. It can never happen again."
Megan Krakouer, one of the co-organisers of the Reclaim the Space action as part of the Boorloo Aboriginal Alliance, said "what happened in January was an attack on our people and on our right to exist safely in public spaces on Noongar Boodja".
"Reclaim the Space is a statement of our survival and that strength. We will gather, we will heal, and we will rise. We invite all mob and allies to stand with us and reclaim this space with strength and pride."
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, acknowledged and thanked those present.
"(Today) is about coming together, with a hand on heart, saying 'no more'. No more racism and prejudice in this country," she said.
"We want to be able to live in this country... where we are safe, where we feel respected in who we are and our sense of self and identity. That's what this moment is.
"I thank all of you for being here."
WA Premier Roger Cook thanked the organisers and speakers.
"This is Whajuk Noongar Country... We are here today as part of an important process of healing, of reclaiming this space, of reclaiming our peace," he said.
Mr Cook acknowledged those who had been present at the January 26 rally.
"Thank you for for perseverance, thank you for your resilience, thank you for your leadership," he said.
Dr Jim Morrison of Yokai - Healing Our Spirt called for a truth and justice commission in WA similar to Victoria's Yoorrook Justice Commission.
"Work with us to ensure that the truth must be told, if we are to have any hope for justice and healing in Australia," he said, directing his comments to the Premier and other politicians presents.
Federal MP for Perth Patrick Gorman told the crowd "racism has no place here".
"It is a privilege to share this continent with the oldest continuing culture on Earth," he said. "We take pride in that and we will defend it."
WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Punch said "today we say no to hate".
"We stop the hate, we call it out in whatever form it takes," he said.
Senator for WA, Yamatji and Noongar woman Dorinda Cox, and state MLC Sophie MacNeill were also among those present.
There were also performances of cultural dance and music by Indigenous artists.
