Uncle Mark Brown, the Bunurong Elder and Senior Cultural Heritage Officer who was heckled by bigots while delivering a Welcome to Country at an ANZAC Day dawn service, has issued a statement to "those who harbour and express racist sentiments in this country".
"You stand on land that has been cared for and nurtured by my ancestors for over 65,000 years. The Bunurong people, along with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations, are the original custodians of this continent," he wrote on Monday.
"Our connection to this land is profound, spiritual, and unbroken. Your lineage traces back to settlers who arrived here merely 235 years ago. You are descendants of those who came by boat, seeking refuge, opportunity, or exile. Yet, some among you now dare to question our place in our own homeland, to deny our history.
"Let me be clear: we are not the visitors here. We did not arrive on ships; we did not colonise. We have always been here. Our stories, our songs, our laws, and our connection to this land predate your arrival by tens of thousands of years. If you find discomfort in acknowledging this truth, if you feel threatened by our resilience and our rightful place in this nation, perhaps it is you who should reconsider your place here.
"You are welcome to trace your roots back to your ancestral lands, to the countries from which your forebears came. We, the first Peoples of Australia, have endured colonisation, dispossession, and countless injustices. Yet, we remain steadfast. We continue to share our culture, to welcome others to our land, and to seek unity and reconciliation.
"But we will not be silenced. We will not be erased. To those who stand with hatred in their hearts: know that your actions are a reflection of your own insecurities and disconnection. They do not define us. We are defined by our strength, our culture, and our unwavering connection to this land.
"Australia's future lies in embracing its true history, in honouring the First Peoples, and in building a nation rooted In respect, understanding, and unity. Racism has no place in this vision.
"We invite all who are willing to walk with us to learn, to grow, and to build a better future together. But for those who choose division and hatred, know that your path leads away from the heart of this nation. We are here. We have always been here. And we are not going anywhere."
