Wominjeka! Welcome to Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week has not traditionally been a whole school event in the Casey Grammar Community calendar. However, last year we had our inaugural Reconciliation Assembly and this year, whilst this has not been possible, we have sought to acknowledge the week in various ways.

One step to celebrating the week was to provide some visual symbols around the school to prompt students to think about the fact that this is a significant week for Australia. Thank you to our Social Justice and Community Captains, Ellen Streat and Lilly Hopp for their assistance. It was 20 years ago this year that the 2000 Reconciliation Bridge walk occurred. I was moved listening to the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, Linda Burney, describe her fear at the time that there would basically be no-one there to walk alongside them. Imagine her delight and relief when instead of finding a small crowd, there were enough people to shut down the Sydney Harbour Bridge for five hours, instead of the originally planned for three hours.

Gaining an understanding of the history and language of our first nations’ people is imperative for us as a nation as we all walk towards reconciliation.

In my preparation for this week, I have learned a lot and been moved as I have listened to music, speeches and seen the various ways in which Indigenous people are sharing their stories online. I’ve included some links which you may wish to look at with your family members.

As I prepared for this week, I came across the work of Brooke Prentis, a woman whose descendants are from the Waka Waka nation in Queensland. She has written a number of prayers and blessings, including the one below.

    May our footsteps, on these ancient lands, remind us of creation and connectedness, in our search for truth.

    May the Gum Tree, from its roots to its branches, remind us to dig deep and reach high, in our action for justice.

    May the Eagle, who soars in the sky, remind us of the power, in our call for love.

    May the God of all love who placed laughter in the kookaburra, bless you with the friendship – that looks like the love where one lays down their life for another.

    May the God of all comfort who determined the height of the mountains, bless you with tears from shared pain and mourning – that shows you hope.

    May the expanse of the lands and seas, of the sky and stars, remind us of God’s timing in our faith in hope.

    May the Holy three, Creator Spirit, Lord God, Papa Jesus, remind us of community.

    So with grace, mercy, and peace, go in truth, justice, love and hope.

    Amen

Every blessing to you and your family.

Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain

Reconciliation Week links:

Learn some Marra Language through this interactive journey (10 minutes) https://www.sbs.com.au/mygrandmotherslingo/