Small forward Lindsay Thomas says it’s an “honour” to wear North’s Indigenous guernsey and believes it’s important to teach his fellow teammates about Aboriginal culture.

For the past three years, the 27-year-old has organised guest speakers to impart some knowledge to the Roos’ playing group and staff in the week leading up to the AFL’s annual Indigenous round.

On Wednesday, the club was treated to a presentation by Sean Gorman, the senior research fellow at Curtin University’s Centre of Aboriginal history.

Gorman spoke about the main historical phases of Indigenous history and the racial vilification faced by Aboriginal football players, including the Krakouer brothers, Nicky Winmar, Michael Long, Syd Jackson and Polly Farmer.

Thomas said Gorman’s presentation resonated with everyone in the room.

“It was important to get different aspects of certain Indigenous players that have played before us,” Thomas told NMFC.com.au on Wednesday.

“For Sean to explain their background and what they’ve done for Indigenous players today was very important and I think the boys got a lot out of it.”

Gorman said the Krakouer brothers’ arrival at Arden Street in 1982 can be credited to the “foresight” of former North administrator Ron Joseph, who recruited the duo from WAFL team Claremont.

Interestingly, their arrival was the first time in VFL/AFL history a club had signed more than one Indigenous player in a season.

Gorman was also joined by Recognise activist Mark Yettica-Paulson, who spoke about the advocacy group’s mission to recognise the nation’s Indigenous population in the Australian Constitution.

The Roos are one of nine AFL clubs that have supported the movement towards constitutional recognition and the ‘R’ logo – which stands for Recognise – will feature on the club’s Indigenous jumper in Sunday’s clash against Collingwood.

“It’s an honour just to wear a North Melbourne guernsey, but to be able to put on a North Melbourne guernsey with an Indigenous design is definitely right up there in my footy career,” Thomas said.

“I’m representing my family this weekend and the whole Indigenous community so it’s going to be special.

“It’s a great story to tell and it looks pretty cool, too, so it’s definitely exciting to be wearing it this week.”

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Thomas acknowledged the AFL’s ongoing commitment to the Recognise campaign and its role in celebrating the contribution of Indigenous footballers.

“They’re doing a great job; every year is getting bigger and better,” he said.

“This week is going to be an unbelievable week of footy – you have Michael Long’s Long Walk, Dreamtime at the ‘G and, all in all, it’s going to be a good weekend of footy.”

Thomas has long been proud of his Aboriginal heritage and uses his status as an AFL player to reconnect with his culture and share his personal journey with others.

The 161-gamer said he often mentions the 21 other Indigenous players that have pulled on the royal blue and white jumper throughout the club’s 146-year history.

“I always try and make them [his teammates] understand what the North Melbourne footy club has done for, not just for me and Daniel (Wells), but a lot of other Indigenous players as well,” Thomas said.

“It’s important they get to understand the Indigenous culture, how powerful it is and how strong it’s been and still is.”

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