The Story Behind the Hawks First Nations Round Uniforms
This week is First Nations Round in the NBL1 competition and the Hawks will be wearing their uniforms that have been designed by outstanding artist Kevin Bynder. The story behind the design and its significance to the Perry Lakes Area and the team is a fascinating read.
About the Design
The 14 circles represent the championships, and the semi-circles symbols are the men. The circles on the bottom with the semi-circles represent the women. All come together as one big basketball club. Djil-Djil means hawk and can be seen around the local area. The large dots and area between the Men and Women is the ochre which comes from other tribes as a trading source. Perry lakes has 2 lakes, these lakes were created by the Waagyl (rainbow serpent) the Waagyl would move underground looking for fertile land, she would poke her head out and look for land and when she moves back underground the hole would fill with water and create the lakes. These lakes are a big part of the local Aboriginal tribes. They would be used for food, dance, sorry time, used as a trading place with other tribes and also a place to live. The trees and fruit around the lakes are good for food and shelter is made from local wood and reeves.
About the Artist Kevin Bynder
Kevin was born in perth in 1975 to a Whadjuk-Yuet Nyungar mother and a Widi-Badimia Yamatji father. Kevin is a proud Whadjuk-Yuet-Ballarong man and talented artist.
A celebrated artist who has been practising for over 20years, Kevin has been commissioned by more that 30 sporting clubs and associations across the country to create their uniforms including
West Coast Eagles, Port Adelaide, Perth Scorchers Fremantle Dockers and the Perth Wildcats. Kevin has also recently designed a $2 coin for the Perth Mint.
Kevin is also a well – respected teacher, working in schools across the state teaching art to indigenous students from remote communities.
Kevin was asked about what it meant to see players in his design for First Nations Round, “I think its wonderful, would be even better to see more indigenous players on the court”.
