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Mibenge Nsenduluka

AFL great to walk 650km for Indigenous voice 'yes' vote

Michael Long (centre) will hit the road again from Melbourne to Canberra in support of the voice. (Gary Day/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Nearly two decades after his historic walk from Melbourne to Canberra, footy legend Michael Long is again set to embark on the 650km journey to federal parliament.

The AFL great will lend his support for a 'yes' vote in the upcoming Indigenous voice to parliament referendum by making the gruelling trek in coming months.

A longtime activist for Indigenous people, Long, 53, made headlines in 2004 when he led a protest march calling for a meeting with then prime minister John Howard.

The Essendon Hall of Fame player set out to put Indigenous matters back on the national agenda while attending another Aboriginal funeral, after growing tired of government inaction.

His frustrations also stemmed from Mr Howard's refusal to apologise to the Stolen Generation, which both his parents were subject to.

After Long completed 325km of the planned 650km journey in about nine days, Mr Howard called for an end to the walk and agreed to meet.

Long continues his anti-racism advocacy and on Saturday, he will perform the late Archie Roach's song, The Colour of Your Jumper, at the Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond at the MCG.

The song celebrates Nicky Winmar's iconic stand against racism in 1993 and more than 80,000 fans are expected to attend Saturday's match.

Long will complete another walk from Federation Square to the MCG on Saturday ahead of his performance at the Dreamtime game.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will join Long on Saturday's walk.

The Long Walk to the 'G' is in its 19th year and commemorates his original walk to Canberra.

Long will officially kick off his upcoming walk to the Australian capital between August and September, with members of the public also encouraged to join.

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