As Patrick Ikaringanyi Ferguson watched Adelaide skipper Chelsea Randall and forward Danielle Ponter participate in a special gift exchange before the match against North Melbourne, he felt a sense of pride.
The proud Adnyamathanha, Yawarrawarraka, Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte man spent countless hours carefully crafting the gift Ponter and Randall were giving to the Kangaroos, as part of the AFLW’S Indigenous Round.
The gift he created was a Coolamon - a bowl which has been used by many Aboriginal tribes, especially by Aboriginal women as a gathering tool.
It was used as a dish to hold food, water, as a rocker for putting babies to sleep and to carry sand, which would later be used to help start a fire, as the tribes moved camp.
Etched on the Coolamon was the story about Aunty Patty Miller and Aunty Agnes Saunders - two trailblazing women who took up coaching roles within their football community, a community usually dominated by males.
Smaller shapes on the Coolamon represent the men, listening, learning and growing whilst being led by the two women.
Speaking to AFC Media, Ferguson, who also made a second Coolamon for the Crows to give to Collingwood during this weekend’s match, was honoured to have played a part in the Club’s Indigenous Round celebrations.
“I go out and cut the wood myself and these Coolamons are carved from a solid piece of wood,” Ferguson said.
“Each Coolamon takes about two and a half to three weeks to make… It was great that I was able to make these for the AFLW team, it’s a good gift.
“I was at the game and the fact everyone gets behind Indigenous Round is awesome.
“I’m proud to have made the Crows’ gifts - it’s my team.”
Ferguson, who was given the name Ikaringanyi, which means happy spirit, after his initiation ceremony, has spent the past 17 years wood carving and creating Indigenous artefacts.
He said it’s his way of not only earning a living, but preserving and sharing his culture.
“I’ve been carving for a very long time,” Ferguson said.
“When I was a young bloke, my grandmother taught me how to carve… so I took it up again.
“I always wanted to follow the path and it’s given me some great opportunities over the years.”
Crows Indigenous Programs Manager Jeremy Johncock said gift exchanges were an important part of celebrating Indigenous culture.
“It’s about mutual respect and understanding, particularly, when crossing borders or going onto someone else’s country,” Johncock said.
“A gift sends a ‘we come here in peace and not to cause harm’ type message.”
Adelaide will continue to celebrate Indigenous Round by participating in another gift exchange, thanks to co-major partner BHP, and wearing its Indigenous guernsey when it plays Collingwood on Sunday.
The match will be hosted at Victoria Park, with the first bounce at 11.40am (ACST).
