The recent incident of a Welcome to Country being booed on Anzac Day has sparked a much-needed conversation about Australia's complex history and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights. This event, as described by Ziggy Ramo, highlights the deep-seated issues of disrespect, lack of knowledge, and the country's willingness to remember some wars while forgetting others.
Ramo's poem, Welcome, serves as a powerful commentary on the ongoing impact of colonization and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous sovereignty. The poem begins with a familiar acknowledgment of the lack of knowledge about Australia's history, particularly the Frontier Wars, which have been largely forgotten or ignored. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which delves into the complexities of Indigenous- settler relations and the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect.
One of the key themes in Welcome is the idea of being invited in and rejected at the same time. Ramo describes the Welcome to Country as an assertion of continuing sovereignty, memory, and custodianship, but also as a moment where the Indigenous community is often met with resistance and disrespect. The booing of Uncle Ray Minniecon, an Elder performing the Welcome to Country, is a stark example of this, revealing a country that wants the comfort of ceremony without the responsibility of truth.
The poem also highlights the irony of Australia's remembrance of wars. While Anzac Day is celebrated as a day of remembrance, sacrifice, and honor, the Frontier Wars, which were fought against Indigenous Australians, are often forgotten or ignored. This contradiction is a bitter irony that sits at the heart of the poem, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and the need for a more honest and inclusive understanding of Australia's history.
Ramo's use of language is blunt and direct, reflecting the bluntness of the moment and the disrespect shown to the Indigenous community. The phrase 'Finders keepers – the land was stolen, but there is no debt to collect' is a powerful statement that highlights the ongoing impact of colonization and the lack of accountability for the theft of Indigenous lands.
In conclusion, Welcome by Ziggy Ramo is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that highlights the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights in Australia. It serves as a reminder of the deep-seated issues of disrespect, lack of knowledge, and the need for a more honest and inclusive understanding of the country's history. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to confront the complexities of Indigenous-settler relations and to work towards a more just and equitable future for all Australians.
