Anzac Day 2017: Dawn service politicised by activist

An Aboriginal activist, endorsed by the RSL, conducted a politicised version of Welcome to Country at Adelaide service.

The dawn service was held at the National War Memorial in Adelaide. Picture: Tait Schmaal

The Anzac Day dawn service at Adelaide’s War Memorial has been hijacked by an Aboriginal activist who was endorsed by the RSL to conduct a politicised version of Welcome to Country and recital of the 23rd Psalm.

Kaurna woman Katrina Ngaityalya Power changed the wording of the Welcome to Country to “stolen Kaurna land” and during the reading of the 23rd Psalm to include “Yea though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Invasion”.

Duncan Symons, who along with thousands of others attended the dawn service at the city’s war memorial for the traditional start to the annual commemorations, was outraged, saying the event was deliberately “misused for political messaging”.

“First, Australian citizens who were present had to submit to being ‘welcomed’ (in their own country) to ‘stolen Kaurna land’. Second, we had to listen to a culturally misappropriated, bastardised version of the 23rd Psalm,” Mr Symons said.

“Yet later the MC, without a trace of irony, made the point that Anzac Day should not be hijacked by those seeking to make a political point.

“Indeed it shouldn’t. Anzac Day belongs to all of us, and certainly should not be surrendered to those who seek to divide this country up by race.”

Service MC Ian Smith, who is the Anzac Day committee chairman, told The Australian that the committee knew what Ms Power was planning.

Mr Smith defended Ms Power’s version of welcome to country, saying “the facts of what happened historically ... are uncomfortable for some to hear”.

“I think what she said made people think,” he said. “It’s not a political point I don’t think, it’s a factual point.”

But he conceded that changing the 23rd Psalm may offend some people and was “poor judgement”.

“I accept that is something some people may be offended by,” Mr Smith said.

He said the Anzac Day committee “certainly were aware of what her (Ms Power) intentions were as to what she was going to say”.

Ms Power told The Australian that she was “giving voice to all the Aboriginal people that have fought in the war” and initially struggled for recognition.

“I am not interested in whether what I say is universally accepted,” she said.

“Being born Aboriginal is political in this country. I am interested in truth-telling. I am interested in celebrating and remembering all of Australia’s history, not shining a spotlight on just one part of it. Why should I apologise?

“How often, aside from a football field and the raising of a guernsey, do Aboriginal Australians have the opportunity to voice our side of history?”

Veterans SA director Rob Manton said Ms Power “has a powerful message that she wants to get across”.

Asked if it was inappropriate on Anzac Day, Mr Manton said: “Anzac Day is our true national day ... from my point of view this is all about commemoration and remembrance — it’s not a day for politics.”

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall, who attended the service, said “this important day should not be hijacked for political purposes”.

“The comments made were unnecessary and inappropriate,” Mr Marshall said.

He was backed by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, who attended another dawn service but later received a briefing about what had occurred at the War Memorial.

“It is important we all remember the true purpose of Anzac Day,” he said.

“It is always best if other political issues are left for another time.”

Acting Premier Kyam Maher, who also is the state’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister, and attended the service, refused to buy into the controversy.

“Today is a day to honour the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served their country. This is what I am focused on,” Mr Maher said in an emailed statement.