We humbly and respectfully acknowledge that Amberley is on the sacred lands of the lands Of the KULIN NATION We pay our respect to, and honour the guardianship.

We humbly and respectfully acknowledge that Amberley is on the sacred lands of the lands

Of the

KULIN NATION

We pay our respect to, and honour the guardianship with which these peoples cared for God’s creation

Lake Mungo 40,000 years +

BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY

The Long

Road to Reconcil

iation

...

BRINGING THEM HOME REPORT

FIRE CARRIERFriends Igniting Reconciliation through Education

FIRE Carrier

The FIRE Carrier Project is an initiative of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and the Opening the Doors Foundation to promote Reconciliation in Victorian Schools.

The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Vision To be perceived as an Aboriginal Community recognised for its commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples having their rightful place in the Church and the wider Community.

Inspired by the Gospel, we are committed to the dignity of each person to open hospitality, to truth-telling about dispossession and to be a place of connection.

We work for Reconciliation, in partnership with those who believe that there can be an alternative to the present order.

The Opening the Doors FoundationAddressing the severe educational disadvantage still being experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, by providing assistance so that they are able to choose and successfully maintain a positive educational environment for their children.

To empower and support Aboriginal families to make choices in educational opportunities for their children;

Help open the doors of independent educational institutions in Victoria; and

Be a model of self empowerment and determination by responding directly to needs of its own community.

Fire is at the Heart of Aboriginal Culture

It represents the spiritual connection between individuals to Mother Earth and Ancestors;

It is around fire that Dreamtime stories are told and laws taught;

It is used for smoking the people and the land when gathered for important ceremonies;

And so it is fire that represents the learning, teaching and your schools journey towards Reconciliation.

The 3 Core Values

Spirituality

Cultural Recognition & Awareness

Practical Reconciliation & Justice

SpiritualitySpiritualityLearning Aboriginal spirituality and how it aligns with Catholic identity;

Being familiar with and using materials in liturgy, learn and understand rituals and meanings, engage in cultural emersion;

Teach and learn the true Aboriginal story and incorporate Aboriginal perspectives in curriculum;

Use the message stick during reading of the Word and school masses, use the fire liturgy, para-liturgy, Acknowledgement of Country, create an Australian identity during the time of advent.

YingadiYingadi

Immersion

Recognising cultural perspectives and demonstrating awareness through things such as; Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags; Equipping Libraries with an Aboriginal section available to all students;Making strong relationships with local Elders and inviting local Elders to Welcome visitors to Country at significant events; Supporting ACM initiatives.

Cultural Recognition & Awareness

Realising Practical Reconciliation & Justice through various opportunities such as;

Ensuring your school is involved in activities within the Aboriginal community;

Participating in Reconciliation week activities;

Partnering OTDF through fundraising;

Building right relationships with Aboriginal people through celebration days, hosting traveling exhibitions, being socially just & aware.

Practical Reconciliation & Justice

Becoming aFIRE CarrierA student is elected annually in the same way as other school representatives;

If your school has a social justice group or Reconciliation committee they can collectively become FIRE Carriers;

A member of the ACM will invite the FIRE Carrier to undertake the duty at the inaugural school assembly & the FIRE Carrier will be presented with the flame;

The FIRE Carrier will represent students on the schools journey to Reconciliation and educate the school community about the local Aboriginal story.

Walk the Journey, Carry the FireLet the knowledge of Aboriginal culture and history ignite the Reconciliation fire inside you.

Carry the burning coals of Reconciliation and educate your community.

Use your hands, feet and heart to travel the journey and carry the fire.

Sign your school up to become a FIRE Carrier today, complete an Expression of Interest Form and return to Sherry at ACMV on

9480 3849.

FIRE CARRIERFriends Igniting Reconciliation through Education

PROUD RACE LAUNCHED

On 3 June (Mabo Day) 2012 a call went out to all Catholic

Education Offices in Australia

Prime Minister of

Australia, Kevin Rudd, also said “Sorry” for the wrongs that have

been inflicted on a proud race of people for the indignity and

degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud

culture, We Say Sorry.

There are 10,000’s of young people in Australia in our

Catholic Schools that have never met an Aboriginal person.

So how can we change that?

How can we really make a difference?

How can I keep the Holy Spirit alive that swept through our

country on the 13 Feb 2008???

INVITATION“I encourage all schools to

participate in this Project to ensure that the Apology and all that it requires of us becomes and remains an integral part of

our shared story. It is vital that this significant date is central to our children’s understanding of our history and the story of our Country’s First Peoples,” said Ms Vicki Clark, Coordinator of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

Victoria.

STAGE ONE 1 (term 2&3)

1)Aboriginal community register their consent for

their story to be registered on Proud Race web site /

tree open to students schools to make contact.2) Schools register their expression of interest.

Stage 2 (term 3)ACM connects with

storytellers, schools who have families

willing to participate in Proud Race story tree.

Develop stories for web site / tree.

Allocate $$$ in schools budget for project.

STAGE3 (Term 4)

Schools prepare artistic designs,

select stories for bollards.

Plan big day out for 13th Feb 2013

STAGE 5BIG DAY OUT!!!!!!

TO BE CONFIRMED. AS THIS IS A NATIONAL

PROJECT THE BOLLARDSWILL HAVE A PRIDE OF PLACE

ACROSS THE NATION13TH FEB 2013 5TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE APOLOGY

Web sitewww.yingadi.org.au

Australian Blessing

May you always stand as tall as a tree,

Be as strong as the rock Uluru,

Be as gentle and still as the morning mist,

Hold the warmth of the campfire in your heart,

And may the Creator Spirit always walk with you.

E Pike 1997