National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week
At the end of May, we will mark National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week. We draw your attention to new ways you can get active in the reconciliation process.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Supporting the Voice
We provide you with links to some of the resources available to help you to participate in the Voice campaign.
Easter Reflection
The Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, Bishop Vincent Long, offers us an Easter reflection on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Getting Involved in the Voice Campaign
Faith leaders have issued an open letter to political leaders, calling for support for the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. We share information on how and why you should get involved.
Saying Yes to the Voice
Peter Arndt, Director of the Office reflects on Advent and particularly on seeing God with us each day. The hustle and bustle of this time of year can stop us seeing and hearing God in our day-to-day lives. He urges us to keep Christ in our celebrations of Christmas by remembering and including people excluded from society and our brother and sisters in the environment in our celebrations. Peter farewells Patrice Moriarty who is moving on from her support of the Office.
New Commonwealth Closing the Gap Report
The first Commonwealth Closing the Gap report has been released after the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in 2020. The National Agreement focuses on prioritising partnerships between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community-Controlled Organisations with four priority areas. There are also 17 socio-economic outcomes, four of which were on target.
NATSICC Assembly Videos
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council ran their national assembly in September of this year in Townsville. It was an incredible event especially given this was the first time the community has been able to get together since COVID-19 began. The website now has a video available with photos of the assembly as well as a twenty minute wrap up video which summarises the event.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
An update is provided on the Uluru Statement from the Heart after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing that the referendum for the Voice to Parliament will occur in the 2023-2024 Financial year. The Australian Catholic Bishops endorsed the Statement last November and Dean Parkin spoke at the NATSICC Assembly. Resources and ideas for grass roots promotion are available through a new website.
NATSICC Assembly – Holy Spirit in This Land
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) are this week conducting their national assembly in the diocese of Townsville. After needing to be rescheduled due to Covid-19, Indigenous Catholics from around the country are travelling to be together and share in their faith, knowledge, and community. The theme for this year’s assembly is, “Holy Spirit in this Land.”
Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) both focus on alleviating personal, social and cultural injustice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have faced from non-Indigenous Australia. The onus of these weeks are on non-Indigenous organisations, people and groups to take steps to “Be Brave. Make Change.” This is the theme of this year’s week and Reconciliation Action Plans are a good first step.