Hawthorn racism investigation: Four First Nations families write to AFL, provide call to arms on involvement

Four First Nations families have issued a call to arms to the AFL, declaring they will only be involved in the Hawthorn racism probe if the league acknowledges its own failings. Read the full letter.

A group of Hawks First Nations past players and families will talk to investigators only when the AFL agrees to an independent review of its racism practices and failings.

The four families — the first to agree to participate in the Hawthorn racism investigation – have called on the AFL to “take a good hard look at itself and how it has dealt with racism in the past’’.

And the families have begged clubs to tell the AFL ‘’not to sweep this crisis under the carpet’’.

“It’s not just a Hawthorn problem, just like it wasn’t just a Collingwood problem,’’ the families say.

“Address the issue of racism in the AFL directly and purposively.

“The next crisis may be yours.’’

READ THE FULL LETTER TO THE AFL BELOW

The families on Friday night detailed their wishes and concerns in a letter to AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder and all AFL commissioners.

The families have also made a call to arms to all First Nations players and their families who have previously been racially vilified and “hurt by the AFL’s failures and silences’’

“Please lend your voices to our call to the AFL to do better,” the letter says.

“You inspire us. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you.’’

The families say they want to tell their truths to the independent investigators.

“Today we have decided to participate in the AFL Independent Investigation on the basis that the AFL is also committed to independently look at its own failings and promises to all First Nations families it will do better as a result,’’ they say.

“We do want to tell our truths to a panel of independent investigators in a culturally safe environment.

“But the issue of racism in the AFL cannot be dealt with by a narrowly targeted investigation on a club-by-club, or crisis-by-crisis, basis.

“That may protect the AFL’s image and reputation in the short term, but it does not

address our concerns, which won’t go away with a limited investigation of Hawthorn.’’

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.

The families, who are represented by lawyers Arnold Bloch Leibler, do not want a witch-hunt or to bring legal claims.

“We want the AFL to be a safer place for our children and all First Nations children who dream of playing AFL football,’’ they say.

“We want to make sure our experiences will never be repeated and that is why we have taken our time to carefully consider our position.’’

The families have reservations about the independent process and share concerns with Amy*, who this week revealed she would not participate in the investigation.

Amy (*not her real name) alleges she is the victim of “appalling mistreatment by Hawthorn Football Club”.

The families want the AFL to “independently investigate how AFL policies, procedures and practices can be improved’’.

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan.

“We want to help educate AFL coaching staff, players and umpires about our cultures and our peoples and set KPI’s to annually test whether the AFL is doing better in relation to racism.

“For once and for all.’’

Coaches at the centre of the claims, North Melbourne’s Alastair Clarkson and Brisbane’s Chris Fagan have denied the allegations of racist behaviour.

They returned to work this week.

First nations family letter to AFL