ChampionS.E. Melbourne Phoenix 25/26 Youth Indigenous Jersey in Green

Artist: Dixon Patten (Bitja)

Dixon Patten (Bitja) is a proud Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa man with bloodlines from Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa, Djab Wurrung, Wiradjuri, Yuin, Wodi Wodi, Wolgal, Monaro.

As an artist, designer, mentor, influencer and a strong community advocate, Dixons artistic practice is informed through a strong cultural value that his family and community have imprinted into his mind, heart, and spirit. His approach to his engagements is much bigger than an artistic visual; it is about the gifts and the influential shifts that creativity brings. Dixons narratives often delve deep into familial history, often in celebration and exploration of culture and connection and his willingness to share and learn are informed by the art of Deep Listening, or in his native Yorta Yorta language Gulpa Ngawul. This practice has guided many of Dixons expressions by uncovering the layers, exploring trauma, exploring grief, reclaiming culture, bridging gaps, being accountable, learning to understand and also challenge systems, influencing spaces and learning to celebrate self. He takes his role as a storyteller seriously and feels humbled to continue this strong aspect of Aboriginal culture.

Songlines are pathways of knowledge that traverse all across the Australian continent and spans from past to present to future; symbolising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples cultures and successful longevity through many millennia. Our cultures are diverse; there are around 500 Nations, each layered with unique customs, lore, languages, totems, spiritualities and kinship structures.

Our songlines inform our diverse history, lore, dreaming stories, memory, relationships, ceremony, language, spirituality, trade economy and how we connect to and remember Country. Deep-listening was fundamental to recieving and sharing knowledge; helping to understand where to go and where not to, when to harvest and cultivate and understanding seasonal shifts to allow Country to replenish.

Sharing helped keep us safe, Our ability to successfully retain information was through our dreaming stories and storytelling practices; they were more than fables, they are maps to guide our values and guide our journeys (physically and spiritually).

Our relationships to each other are important for our survival, our songlines are also trade routes that formed one of the worlds oldest economies. Songlines inform our conscience and values; a reminder that we are part of something bigger than ourselves; and by being accountable to ourselves, we are accountable to others.

This art honours all the richness in our history and cultures, our success in connecting to and living in harmony in such diverse and often harsh landscapes, for such a long time, is truly a marvel.

Champion brings its signature quality to the court with the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 25/26 Youth Indigenous Jersey. Designed for performance and style, this jersey is crafted with premium fabrics for superior comfort and durability. Featuring detailed team wordmarks, player name, and number in high-quality fabric appliqus with Champion C and NBL logos made from silicon for an authentic and top quality finish.