First Nations families have penned an open letter to the AFL as the investigation into allegations of racism at Hawthorn continue, urging the league to "do better".
The impacted families revealed that they will participate in the investigation, but only if the AFL commits to an independent review on their own failings in order to provide a safer environment for future Indigenous players.
In a joint statement released through lawyers, the families stated that they wanted to share their truths in a "culturally safe environment".
"We have decided to participate in the AFL Independent Investigation on the basis that the AFL is also committed to independently look at its own failings, and promises to all First Nations families it will do better as a result," the statement reads.
"We do want to tell our truths to a panel of independent investigators in a culturally safe environment.
"But the issue of racism in the AFL cannot be dealt with by a narrowly targeted investigation on a club-by-club, or crisis-by-crisis, basis.
โThat may protect the AFL's image and reputation in the short term, but it does not address our concerns, which won't go away with a limited investigation of Hawthorn.
"We want the AFL to take a good hard look at itself and how it has dealt with racism in the past.
"Not because we want to trawl over 100 years of neglect, or conduct a witch-hunt or to bring legal claims, but because we want the AFL to be a safer place for our children.
โToday we have decided to participate in the AFL Independent Investigation on the basis that the AFL is also committed to independently look at its own failings and promises to all First Nations families it will do better as a result. And we appreciate this will take more time to complete than a Hawthorn focused investigation.
โTo the AFL clubs' board of directors, tell the AFL not to sweep this crisis under the carpet as merely a Hawthorn problem. It's not just a Hawthorn problem, just like it wasn't just a Collingwood problem. Address the issue of racism in the AFL directly and purposively. The next crisis may be yours."
Both Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, two figures at the centre of the allegations revealed in September, have returned to work at their respective clubs, North Melbourne and Brisbane, over the past week.
On Saturday afternoon the AFL responded to the letter, stating it is committed to running an independent investigation.
The league also stated that it "is committed to working together as an industry to coordinate a wider response that ensures we have a culturally safe environment across all our clubs and within the AFL industry."
"The AFL has committed to running an independent investigation of allegations of racism referred to the AFL by the Hawthorn Football Club that provides a supportive and respectful process for those impacted, and natural justice to those people against whom allegations of misconduct have been made," an AFL statement reads.
"We confirm that a number of participants have advised they will take part in the Investigation, chaired by Bernard Quinn KC and acknowledge it is their decision based on the terms of reference released on October 20, 2022. The AFL has not come to any separate agreements with any participants in relation to the terms on which they take part in the investigation.
"The work by the four-member panel has already begun and will continue to work with the various participants.
"As we announced when we released the Terms of Reference for the Independent Investigation, the AFL is committed to working together as an industry to coordinate a wider response that ensures we have a culturally safe environment across all our clubs and within the AFL industry.
"It is important to note that the wider industry response that was previously announced is a separate piece of work that will continue to be worked on by the AFL and, while it will be informed by the Panel's work, it is not part of the Independent investigation process."
