Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, Mayor of the City of Krakow; Prof. Jacek Purchla, Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee; Prof. Mieczyslaw Rokosz; Distinquished Guests and Friends. On behalf of my Elders and our extended Ngarigo families, I wish to acknowledge the lands on which we meet today and thank you all for making us so welcome in your Country.

We have only been here for a little over one day and I find myself falling in love with this beautiful City. I am also in awe of this man, Tadeusz Kosciuszko. His life and his legacy is having a profound effect on me and this is giving me a thirst to know more. I am also sad that my people and our country know so little of this hero.

Some of you may know that the highest mountain in my country is Kosciuszko Mountain. This mountain sits on the Traditional Lands of the Ngarigo people. The “official” title is held by the New South Wales State Government and along with the surrounding land was declared Kosciuszko National Park in 1967. Prior to this (1908) it was known as Kosciuszko Chase and in 1944 it was declared Kosciuszko State Park. It is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a part of the National Heritage Listing of the Australian Alps Conservation Reserves.

Iris White delivering the paper in Cracow

Due largely to past government policies and practice, Ngarigo people no longer live on our Ancestral Lands. However our Culture, our practices and our traditions have survived through the passing on of knowledge through story, dance, art and ceremony by our Elders.

Fifteen (15) short years ago, the National Park Management facilitated a process to bring Ngarigo people back to our Ancestral lands. They also facilitated a process to give us a voice in the Management of Kosciuszko National Park and invited us to participate in the development of a Plan of Management and to identify our aspirations for involvement of the Park.

High on that list was our desire to give the Mountain back its Traditional name. It is important to know that at that time, my people had no knowledge of the man Tadeusz Kosciuszko or of Strzelecki who gave this name to our sacred mountain.

I am sure that everyone here will appreciate that when our aspirations were made public, the Australian Polish community were most upset at this suggestion and lodged many objections. As a consequence, the then Park Manager, Mr. Dave Darlington facilitated a meeting of our respective groups. Our initial meeting was tense and we were somewhat confused by the passion demonstrated by the Australian Polish community and we could not understand why they so strongly objected to our desire to give our name back to the Mountain. Yet at every opportunity we were met with open hearts and a level of hospitality that was somewhat foreign to us. Time after time we were met with open arms and a spirit of generosity and a desire to extend friendship to us.

Iris being interviewed by TVP

Iris White (left) with her sister Cheryl Davison (middle) during Mass at the Wawel Cathedral. Photo PP

Slowly that hand of friendship has allowed both our communities to come together in common purpose and a desire to learn from one and other. I am humbled by the relationship that we have developed and am deeply privileged to refer the Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. Australia as friends and allies.

On behalf on my family, my community, Ngarigo community I thank you for allowing us to share this auspicious occasion with you, your country and the International Community and for the opportunity to get to know a little of this man, Tadeusz Kosciuszko and his legacy. On a cultural level I and our community look forward to sharing this journey, this story with our countrymen and hope that you visit us. We also want you to know that if and when you visit Australia, you are most welcome on the Traditional Lands of the Ngarigo people.

Thank you.
Iris White

Iris White at the Wawel after the Mass and visit to the crypt. Photo by Cheryl Davison