Tonight’s Cowboys Deadly Choices Round, part of NRL Indigenous Round, is set to be a fantastic celebration of Indigenous culture and coincides with an important week on our national calendar – National Reconciliation Week.
Our Cowboys v Warriors game day at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will feature our unique Indigenous jersey, on-field performances, a cultural gift exchange and a dedicated Cultural Walk in the stadium precinct with Indigenous exhibitors.
The theme of this week's broader NRL Indigenous Round, Pass Back. Move Forward. recognises the rich culture of Indigenous Australians and the many challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
We’re grateful to be part of a game that values inclusivity and takes proactive action to use its brand and influence to create change.
Here's a look at some of the ways the Cowboys are taking braver and more impactful action towards reconciliation.
#MoreThanAWord
This year's National Reconciliation Week theme, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation and in playing our part, we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and the Cowboys Community Foundation are committed to Indigenous engagement, inclusion, participation and advancement, and to contributing to a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.
We take pride in our commitment and contributions and use both our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Engagement Strategy (Hutchinson Builders Centre) to map, measure and guide us on our engagement and reconciliation journey.
We hope to inspire others to reflect on their own contributions to reconciliation and strive to do more.
For more information on National Reconciliation Week, visit reconciliation.org.au.
Cowboys Indigenous jersey
Tonight’s fantastic Indigenous jerseys were designed by local artist Jesse James, winner of the 2021 Cowboys Indigenous jersey design competition.
Jesse is a self-taught artist who has been painting for the last eight years and loves showing his connection to his home of Palm Island through his art.
Entitled “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dreamtime Unity”, Jesse’s design represents the strong connections between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.
The Rainbow Serpent and Kangaroo are strong in the Aboriginal culture’s beliefs, as is the Turtle and Dugong in the Torres Strait Islander culture.
Black and white hands working together in unity and the flow on both sides are the Aboriginal communities connected and the Torres Strait Islander communities connected.
Thank you to Diageo Australia for continuing their generous contribution of giving up their 'Bundaberg Rum' branding position on the front of the jersey in support of the Cowboys Community Foundation and its work in providing access to education for remote Indigenous students through NRL Cowboys House.
The Indigenous jerseys are on sale now through the Cowboys Team Shop, in-store, online and at the game.
The 17 player-signed, match-worn jerseys will be auctioned from 1pm Saturday via cowboys.com.au/auction.
Cultural Walk
Kick off National Reconciliation Week with us and check out the Cultural Walk in the Northern and Southern Plaza precincts before the game tonight.
Exhibitors:
- TVG Engagement
- Mungalla Station
- Wulgurukaba Walkabouts
- JW Didgeridoos
- 3 Big Rivers / Activateone
- Balgarra Designs
- Civil Safety & On Common Country
- Girringun Art Centre & Girringun Rangers
- Trunk It Indigenous Arts & Crafts
- Blak Markets
- Bracks Indigenous Clothing
We welcome our exhibitors and Cultural Walk visitors as we showcase the heritage and culture of our nation's first peoples for National Reconciliation Week and Cowboys Deadly Choices Round.
