NEWSLETTER ON LINKEDIN

Indigipreneur

By Dean Foley

This article follows on from research about what Blakwashing is and key examples for the greater (non-Indigenous) community to better understand the problem and potential solutions.

Wirrpanda Foundation – now known as the Waalitj Foundation

One of the most popular strategies for non-Indigenous ventures is to have a famous Indigenous sport star be the face of the organisation. This strategy can help create a defensive barrier against criticism, and also gives credibility from an Indigenous perspective.

West Coast AFL legend David Wirrpanda founded the Wirrpanda Foundation, which recently changed its name to the Waalitj Foundation.

Though they received a lot of positive feedback on LinkedIn, the Waalitj Foundation’s Facebook page was flooded with negative comments from members of the Aboriginal community who felt that the name change was disrespectful to the Wirrpanda family and David’s work.

All of these comments have since been deleted by Facebook or by the Waalitj Foundation.

David supposedly left the foundation a year ago but the new name was seen as disrespectful of David’s contribution to the foundation and off non-Indigenous people profiting from these kind of ventures.

A comment on Facebook, which was deleted, made a reference to the Waalitj Foundation’s white Board showing non-Indigenous representatives from the West Coast Eagles AFL organisation.

Another claim that an Indigenous person helped push out and take over David’s role at the foundation for his own agenda…

I always thought that David Wirrpanda not only started the Wirrpanda/Waalitj Foundation but also owned it…. however, in reality, it seems as though he has been completely shafted by a non-Indigenous organisation and a wealthy AFL team (West Coast Eagles).

Despite having Indigenous staff and board members, this is undoubtedly a case of Blakwashing…

The brand seems to have only used a former employee (AFL player) and prominent Aboriginal name to build their foundation, which now receives millions of government funding annually (90% income) from the tax payer.

This is despite the West Coast Eagles hardly contributing their own money to the foundation which they seem to own and control…

Governments and philanthropic organisations seem to love handing money to organisations that look Indigenous, but are still owned or controlled by non-Indigenous people. The idea of the presence of non-Indigenous people controlling the reins may give them a sense of comfort.