Removing our White Blindfold

The White Blindfold Ritual is a public action drawing attention to the need to continue the journey towards reconciliation in Australia.

Designed as a powerful visual symbol for non-indigenous Australians to acknowledge that so often they are blind to how racism and a lack of respect for Indigenous culture and communities impacts on Indigenous peoples, the White Blindfold Ritual involves non-Indigenous participants ceremonially removing white blindfolds and signing an artistic petition for a treaty in front of Indigenous leaders.

Images courtesy of Rodney Dekker

White Blindfold Event, Melbourne Town Hall, August 2006

The first White Blindfold event, held in August 2006, was a joint presentation by ANTaR Victoria, Reconciliation Victoria and VCOSS to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and to draw attention to the need for the non-indigenous community to acknowledge it’s role in the ongoing marginalisation and impoverishment of Australia’s Indigenous Peoples.

Close to 200 people participated, wearing white and black and wearing white blindfolds. By removing their blindfolds and placing a thumb print on ANTaR’s Treaty Scroll, the non-Indigenous participants demonstrated their commitment to “seeing things differently” and to working in solidarity with Indigenous people in front of Indigenous leaders witnessing the public ritual. Speakers at the event included prominent Human Rights advocate and QC, Julian Burnside, Indigenous academic Lillian Holt, ACTU President Sharon Burrows and Aboriginal community leader Alf Bamblett.

More information about this event:

• White blindfold Media Release
• Julian Burnside's speech
• Lillian Holt’s Speech

   
Images courtesy of Rodney Dekker

Hold a white blindfold event

This symbolic ritual can performed and organized at a local level. ANTaR Victoria can assist organisations, groups, clubs, churches and others in hosting a white blindfold event. You may want to consider holding an event during reconciliation week, on Sorry Day, or as part of a larger event you are organizing.

ANTaR is currently preparing a white blindfold event kit with tips on how to hold your own White Blindfold Ritual. For more information send us an email.

Download a brochure on holding your own White Blindfold Ritual.