Reconciliation Action Plan: Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Related Resources

Of significance with Pope Benedict 16’s passing: "The ancient heritage of Aborigines, who have been in Australia for some 40,000 years, formed an essential part of the cultural landscape of modern Australia.  Thanks to the Australian government's courageous decision to acknowledge the injustices committed against the indigenous peoples in the past, concrete steps are now being taken to achieve reconciliation based on mutual respect." (World Youth Day mass in 2008 from Pope Benedict 16)

 

•  "I call on all people of goodwill and good intention to support the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples by endorsing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and putting it into action in every way possible." (Archbishop Mark Coleridge)

 

• "For thousands of years this culture of yours was free to grow without interference by people from other places. You lived your lives in spiritual closeness to the land, with its animals, birds, waterholes, rivers, hills and mountains. Through your closeness to the land you touched the sacredness of man's relationship with God, for the land was the proof of a power in life greater than yours." (Pope John Paul 11, Alice Springs 1986)

 

• "From the earliest times, men like Archbishop Polding of Sydney opposed the legal fiction of terra nullius - nobody's country.  He strongly pleaded for the rights of the Aboriginal inhabitants to keep the traditional lands on which their whole society depended.  The Church still supports you today." (Pope John Paul II - Address to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, Alice Springs, 1986)

 

• "We need to learn, understand and acknowledge the historical events and current practices that continue to impact the day to day lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples... it is about accepting our shared history as Australians."  (Archdiocese of Brisbane Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Guidelines and Resources)

 

• "Citizenship has not delivered Indigenous Australians the same quality of life other Australians expect. Basic human rights involve health, housing, education, employment, economic opportunity, and equality before the law, and respect for cultural identity and cultural diversity. These human rights must be capable of being enjoyed otherwise they are empty gestures." (Jackie Huggins)

 

• What does Makarrata mean?

       “The Yolnga concept of makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past.  It is about acknowledging that            something has been done wrong, and it needs to make things right.” (Noel Pearson)

 

• So, I take this word reconciliation and I use it to reconcile people back to Mother Earth, so they can walk this land together and heal one another because she’s the one that gives birth to everything we see around us, everything we need to survive. (Max Dulumunmun Harrison, Australian Aboriginal quote)

 

• "The true essence of reconciliation is more than making friends with non indigenous people. Our motto is united Australia, one that respects the land and the heritage of its indigenous peoples and provides justice and equity for all. I think reconciliation is about changing the structures that govern us and trying to influence opinion leaders in whatever way we can." (Jackie Huggins)

 

• “We can learn much from the indigenous peoples, from their ability to listen attentively to God, to persons and to nature.”  (Pope Francis, Apostolic Journey the Canada, July 2022)

 

• Mary, Mother of Jesus, has been depicted through many images, including through the lens of a variety of cultures.

Have you ever considered images of Mary, with baby Jesus, depicted through the eyes of another culture?

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/madonnina-virgin-mary-madonna-of-the-streets-roberto-ferruzzi.html

 

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/368310075748729440/

 

http://www.potsdampresbyterian.org/news-for-the-church-12-3-21/

 

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/573153490059478183/

 

• Joseph, Father of Jesus, has been depicted through many images, including through the lens of a variety of cultures.

https://m.facebook.com/Josephmostjustprayforus/posts/

 

https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/in-search-of-black-catholic-art/

 

https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/43417583884607689/

 

• “From the earliest times, men like Archbishop Polding of Sydney opposed the legal fiction of terra nullius – nobody’s country.  He strongly pleaded for the rights of the Aboriginal inhabitants to keep the traditional lands on which their whole society depended.  The Church still supports you today.” (Pope John Paul, (Address to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, Alice Springs, 1986.)

 

• “There is nothing to fear or to lose in the recognition of historical truth, or the extension of social justice, or the deepening of Australian social democracy to Indigenous Australians. There is everything to gain.” (Paul Keating Redfern speech, 1992)

 

• “We have all failed. Truth must fill the holes of our national memory.  The Aboriginal people who died at the hands of settlers should be recognized.  They too, died for their loved ones.  They too, died for their country.  We must remember them, just as we remember those who fought more recent conflicts.” (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

 

• “You know I grew up, born on a government blanket under a palm tree.  I lived under lantana bushes, I’ve seen more dinner times than I’ve seen dinners, I’ve known discrimination, I’ve known prejudice, I’ve known all of those things – but some of that is still with us and it’s got to be changed.” (The late Liberal Senator Neville Bonner)

 

• Why were Boundary Streets on the southern and northern edges of Brisbane’s city in West End and Spring Hill named “Boundary?”

The streets mark the spot of a bygone perimeter on the edge of town where Indigenous and other non-white people were not permitted to enter during the evenings           and on Sundays.

(Brisbane: The Aboriginal Presence 1824 – 1860,  Rod Fischer)

 

• “I am an Australian and I would like to make all Australians feel proud to be Australian.  Ours is a truly multicultural society and should be united as such.  I would like to believe that my successes are celebrated by all Australians, bringing our nation together.” (Cathy Freeman)

 

• “My experience tells me many of the Aboriginal people I’ve been meeting with are the most traumatized people I’ve ever met … They have gone through the whole process of colonization where horrible and violent acts were done against them, they were treated as less than human, they were poisoned, shot at, dispossessed – within living memory for some of them.” (Bishop Gauci, Darwin 2019. The Catholic Leader)

 

• “This is an important moment in the history of the nation, and it can help us to move towards a deep and just reconciliation.  It also offers a mechanism to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.” (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. May 11, 2023)

 

• “I look at Uncle William Cooper’s story with the 1887 Yorta Yorta residents petition, and then the 1937 petition to King George V with more than 1800 signatories…What they were talking about is the same as what we are advocating for now, trying to claim a place in society….A voice must happen.” (Paul Briggs, Goulburn Murray, Yorta Yorta)

 

• “The society has a longstanding position of supporting constitutional recognition for Australia’s First Nations peoples.  The National Council of Australia therefore supports the Uluru statement from the Heart including Constitutional Recognition and The Voice to Parliament.  Our position mirrors the Australian Catholic Bishops and advances the principles of Catholic social justice.” (St Vincent de Paul Society)

 

• “We cannot, we must not let this opportunity pass…Indigenous civilization is a gift to Australia, that all Australians are now inextricably part of this millennia-long story, that those impacted by decisions should have a say in those decisions, that the Voice is asking us to say yes to a better future for all of us.” (Sister Patty Fawkner, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan)

 

• “Racism is a disease in society.  We’re all equal.  I don’t care what their colour is, or religion.  Just as long as they’re human beings, they’re my buddies.” (Mandawuy Yunupingu)

 

• “The history of the past and the extent of Indigenous disadvantage of the present dictate that we together do whatever is necessary to make and succeed in that effort.  If we do, we will…ultimately reach the point where a national compact of true and lasting reconciliation is a reality rather than a dream.” (Sir William Deane, former Governor-General, 2001)

 

• The suburb of Albany Creek was originally established on the intersection of two Aboriginal tracks.  The main track formed the primary route north of Brisbane and is still known as Old Northern Road.  The second track formed a route from Old Northern Road to Little Cabbage Tree Creek in Aspley and onto Downfall Creek in Chermside.  Albany Creek Road and Gympie Road now follow this second route.

 

• More than 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders now serve with distinction in the Australian Defence Forces. (La Trobe University)

 

• As a Church, it is only in relatively recent years that we have begun to understand with greater clarity that there is a stewardship, a responsibility to protect and care for creation. In humility we have been able to uncover this part of our tradition by listening to other cultures who emphasise not human domination over nature but human participation in and oneness with nature. In Australia, our First Nations cultures have been among our most notable teachers.

 

• “There are two stories at Myall Creek. There is one of the massacre and there is one of the memorial. It is our hope that the one of the memorial will be the one that shapes our future.” Reverend Ivan Roberts OAM, Member of Myall Creek Memorial Committee. (June 10, 2018)