RICHMOND forward Shane Edwards will wear No.67 for the Dreamtime at the 'G clash against Essendon in round 10 in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the referendum to include indigenous Australians in the census.

The night of that match – May 27 – marks the exact date in 1967 the referendum was held, with almost 91 per cent of people voting in favour of having indigenous and non-indigenous people considered equals. It was the highest yes vote ever recorded in an Australian referendum.

Edwards, who usually wears the No.10, is recovering from a hip injury but is expected to be fit for the clash.

"I am proud to wear the No.67 to commemorate such a significant year in our history," Edwards said.

"The changes to the Constitution provided an important step forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and this is an opportunity to celebrate it."

The 28-year-old has played in eight Dreamtime matches.