As part of AFLW Indigenous Round celebrations, the ‘Melbourne Football Club’ has taken on the name ‘Narrm Football Club’.
This initiative was first introduced in 2022 and was designed to acknowledge and educate on Australia’s Indigenous history, while encouraging productive conversations within Narrm Football Club’s member and supporter base, as well as the wider football community.
The club has consulted with Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation who have provided invaluable knowledge and permission for the club to use the Woiwurrung word and bring the initiative to life.
This initiative has inspired a wave of more rebrands throughout the league, with six clubs in total now opting to take on their traditional names throughout Indigenous Rounds.
While the acknowledgement of Aboriginal language is increasing among the football world, it’s still something that generates plenty of conversations and with those conversations comes plenty of questions.
Here are answers to common questions asked surrounding Narrm Football Club, with some answered thanks to the help of Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward.
Why Narrm Football Club?
Narrm is the traditional Aboriginal name for Melbourne. It encompasses the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation, which consists of a collective of five Aboriginal nations; the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Wadawurrung, Taungurung and Dja Dja Wurrung.
Melbourne Football Club’s spiritual home of the MCG is on traditional Wurundjeri land, and is within the broader area traditionally known as Narrm.
‘Narrm’ comes from Woiwurrung – the language spoken by the traditional owners of Melbourne and its surrounds, the Wurundjeri People.
As the name ‘Narrm’ is being translated from oral language, there are several variations of the spelling. Narrm, Naarm and Nairm are all commonly used and accepted.
Why is it important to acknowledge Aboriginal languages?
“I think it's really important to acknowledge the Aboriginal languages in Australia because unfortunately, a lot of them aren't spoken fluently anymore,” Nicholson Ward said.
“In Victoria, there’s 38 Aboriginal languages and unfortunately there's no fluent speakers left.
“So, at the moment, the Victorian Aboriginal community, we're reviving our language.”
How has the Woiwurrung language been passed down through generations?
“The Woirwurrung language is a very strictly oral language,” Nicholson Ward said.
“It wasn't written down, so for us to have the language now since it was forbidden, is through people coming into missions and reserves and actually translating that into English, into a written form.
“We've had to summarise all the different accents that people had and the way they would write it down and summarise it into one simple word.
“So, there's also a lot of different spellings and versions of different words.”
How can Narrm fans show their support for First Nations culture?
“I encourage [fans] to search up the country that [they] live on and the language that is spoken, and find out as much about them as possible,” Nicholson Ward said.
“I would like to encourage Narrm fans to incorporate and include Indigenous voices, culture and language into everything they do, into everyday life, into their workplace.
“This is just a good way to help keep our culture alive.”
How do I know what Country I’m on?
Supporters can visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies' (AIATSIS) website to discover the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which they live, work and play.
Our home, the MCG, is located on Wurundjeri land, home of the Wurundjeri People.
Throughout the AFL and AFLW seasons, the Dees visit many different traditional lands, including but not limited to Kaurna (Adelaide Oval), Wajuk (Optus Stadium), Yugambeh (People's First Stadium), Gadigal (SCG), Arrernte (TIO Traeger Park), Wadawurrung (GMHBA Stadium) and Bunurong (Casey Fields).
Access the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia here.
How can I start further education myself on Indigenous culture?
Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, culture and history by finding reliable resources developed by First Nations Peoples.
Visit the Narrm Football Club Hub to help you take the first step in education, with links to a range of important educational resources.
Access the Narrm Football Club Hub here.
