A group of Aboriginal men and boys have shown their support for AFL star Adam Goodes at the opening of the annual Garma festival in Arnhem Land.
The Yolngu group painted their bodies with the number 37, to represent the Sydney Swans player and performed a traditional dance.
Goodes has been the target of booing and racist abuse since performing an Indigenous war dance in celebration at a game during the AFL Indigenous round.
Gabbirri Yunupingu organised the display to show support for Goodes, who he said was “having a tough time down south”.
“We just wanted to show our support from this part of Australia, Yunupingu said.
He said there was “underlying racism” in the booing of the Sydney Swans player.
“He was never booed before what happened previously,” he said, referring to Goodes’ now famous war dance during the Indigenous round.
“It is upsetting that people have come this way. It’s 2015. But we support for him for what he’s doing for our people across the nation.”
When asked how much Goodes and other Indigenous sportspeople were role models for kids in Arnhem Land, Yunupingu replied: “They’re just gods here. You could say that in all communities across Australia. They’re very high up in Indigenous eyes.”
He said the performance of the war dance was “very, very important” and “displayed our culture, which is not really celebrated in our country. We’re very proud of him and what he’s doing”.
“What Goodesy’s doing is standing up to racism and we support him in that.”
Yunupingu said no one should be booing Goodes or other players, regardless of whether it was about racism or something else.
“Even if they don’t think it’s racism, it’s bullying, and that’s no good. They shouldn’t cop it week in and week out.”
He sent a message to Goodes: “Keep going, brother. We’re all behind you.”
Jerome Yunupingu, one of the dancers, said he was performing to support Goodes. “He’s a legend player,” said Jerome.
“I’m supporting him and to show everyone our culture.”
Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown believes the Adam Goodes saga is building up to a landmark AFL moment like Nicky Winmar’s famous jersey lift.
Winmar, who played 251 AFL games, made a stand against racism in 1993 when he lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin after being jeered by Collingwood fans at Victoria Park.
“[This] may take a landmark moment in time, like the Nicky Winmar case when he famously lifted his St Kilda jumper,” Brown told ABC Radio.
