On the 15th anniversary of his walk from Melbourne to Canberra that led to a meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, an emotional Long said the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the rest of Australia is widening, not improving.

Speaking at the Long Lunch on Wednesday, his daughter Michaela and fellow walker Peter Maher also spoke of the death threats that Long received as he took a stand against racism and government inaction.

"It still resonates today, the issues we face, and we're all responsible. Have we done enough? No," Long said.

"Is it too much to ask ... where is the love?

"Maybe it's time for another Long Walk on the 15th anniversary, to keep these issues alive in the minds and the hearts of all Australians, especially our politicians.

"Please join us this year. This can't go on."

Long later confirmed that plans are afoot for a walk to Canberra this year.

"What a good time to do it - the 15th year, a new prime minister, an opportunity to work with the government," he said.

"When you look at the statistics and the challenges we face as a nation, I think we can make a difference collectively and I think football can show that way.

"We want to work with both sides of the government to get this right, it's too important - we're losing people in our own backyard."

Michaela paid an emotional tribute to her father at the lunch, saying she had childhood memories of her parents having heated discussions as they dealt with hate mail and death threats.

She added Long started the 2004 walk without telling her or her mother.

"My dad is a hero in my eyes for his achievements off the field," Michaela said.

Less than 20 people accompanied Long on the walk and Maher was among them.

He told the lunch that they were stopped by police and country Seymour and asked to stop, because there had been too many death threats.

Maher said Long just kept walking.

"I suppose you didn't really think about then, because the other things were just as important," Long said.

"I had that when I was playing football, so it wasn't going to stop you from what you wanted to do and what you believed in, what you believed in strongly.

"I just think we're better for what we did back then ... we can take it to the next level."

Long famously called out a racist comment in the original 1994 Anzac Day game between Essendon and Collingwood.

His refusal to back down led directly to the AFL's anti-racism and vilification policy.

This week's Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round is honouring Long.

Australian Associated Press