National Reconciliation Week 2017

National Reconciliation Week is from 27 May to 3 June.

50 years ago, Australians voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to include Aboriginal people in the census, and to allow the Commonwealth government to make laws for Aboriginal people. Up to this point each state or territory had different laws.[i]

It is also 20 years since the report” Bringing them Home”

Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families [ii]

This week has been a time we remember some steps that have been taken in Australia, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Until 50 years ago, people of aboriginal background were not counted in the Census. Each State had different laws, in some states they could marry and own property, but not in other states[iii]. It was only in 1962 that Aboriginal people were allowed to vote.

This week over 250 Delegates gathered at the 2017 First Nations National Constitutional Convention, which was established by both the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. The Referendum Council was charged with seeking out the views of First Nations people from across the country and reporting back. Here is a comment from that meeting:

“In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.”[iv]

At the Assembly meeting in 2009, a new Preamble to the Constitution was adopted, subject to agreement from a majority of Synods and presbyteries. In 2010 the Preamble, much of which is printed in the Grapevine [weekly newsletter] this week. The preamble recognises the hurt and damage done to Aboriginal people by over the past 200 years. The Preamble also includes the hope of “a destiny together, praying and working together for a fuller expression of our reconciliation in Jesus Christ.”[v]

The following prayer was prepared by Wontulp-Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group in 1997.

Holy Father, God of Love,

You are the Creator of this land and of all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history

and the suffering of our peoples,

and we ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of indigenous cultures.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history

so that we may build a better future for our nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Teach us to care for our land and waters.

Help us to share justly the resources of this land.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change

to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities,

especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations

on which we build our families, our communities and our nation,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.[vi]

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[i] https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/australian-1967-referendum#axzz4iFW9dP3Q

[ii] https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/bringing-them-home-report-1997

[iii] https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/history/australian-1967-referendum#axzz4iFW9dP3Q

[iv] https://nacchocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/uluru-statement-referendum-council-pat-anderson.pdf

[v] https://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/covenanting/item/668-the-revised-preamble

[vi]https://www.facebook.com/InsightsMagazine/photos/a.269282996426039.64620.146115232076150/1587945034559822/?type=3&theater