Congratulations to our dear friend, Major Sumner, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the 2014 Australia  Day Honours for his significant service to the Indigenous community.

Major wants to live to see an Australia in which all non-Aboriginal people experience what indigenous culture is about.

“Aboriginal people live every day in what it is like to be part of white culture, but how many Australians can say they have experienced Aboriginal culture,” the Ngarrindjeri elder said. “How many people know the cultural stories that run through this land, the creation stories, and the cultural stories of Australia. We could do better to have people experience these things, and put them in the curriculum, instead of learning all the time about other countries. People are always trying to make Australia like the country they came from. We live on your side of the fence, and are always being asked to be part of western society and nobody is coming on our side of the fence to learn about the ceremonies, the language and the songs of this country.”

Mr Sumner is currently planning to launch a theatre in Murray Bridge or Adelaide where people can enjoy a traditional Aboriginal meal and performances. His contribution to public life spans groups promoting Aboriginal health, social welfare, youth and cultural heritage but he is best known for his Aboriginal dance performances as the founder of the Talkinjeri Dance Group 22 years ago.

Thanks to Eddie Powell for bringing this to our attention!