# Black Diggers

Apr 24, 2018

**Free Resource**  
**Social Issues**  
**Teaching**

Over the last week we have been honouring Black Diggers for their service. I am overwhelmed by the response! Every single person who has served for this country deserves the highest respect and I have seen that this week. The pride the Aboriginal community has for our soldiers is heartwarming. It is great to see Black Diggers getting the recognition they deserve.

I have learnt a lot and been privileged to hear the stories of great people. I hope schools start to include Aboriginal soldiers in their ANZAC lessons and am proud of the resources we offer to support this.

I am fortunate enough to call Uncle Ken Canning a friend and am excited to share, with his blessing, one of his poems. You can download a printable version at the bottom of this post.

You will find more of Uncle Ken's work at [https://vagabondpress.net/products/ken-canning-burraga-gutya-yimbama](https://vagabondpress.net/products/ken-canning-burraga-gutya-yimbama).

**BLACK DIGGERS**  
**Author Burraga Gutya (Ken Canning)**

Hail!! You brave men.  
You gave your all,  
to fight.  
Not for King or Queen  
but for country.  
Your land,  
your soil,  
entrenched  
in your heart.  
All wars all battles,  
the strong Black Diggers  
stood tall proud  
and gave honour  
to all Peoples  
of this land.  
Fires of war  
burned out,  
some came home  
to be shunned  
once more.  
The country  
your fought for,  
turned its  
cowardly back  
on you,  
the brave Black Digger,  
as brave as those  
who fought,  
in our frontier wars.  
You once more  
were cast out by  
a callous country.  
Not even  
allowed to speak  
to those you fought  
so valiantly beside.  
Proud strong,  
humble Black Digger,  
we your Peoples,  
give thanks  
and glory  
to your  
sacrifice.  
From those  long passed  
to you  
still amongst us,  
stand tall in honour.  
For at the going down  
of every sun,  
we shall always  
remember you,  
**BRAVE BLACK DIGGERS**.

[Download Black Digger Poem](https://webfiles.wingaru.com.au/assets/pdfs/black_digger_poem.pdf "Black Digger Poem")