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Reconciliation
Healing for a better future
Rabbit Proof Fence
In recognition of National Sorry Day on 26 May in 2002, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission has developed education material for teachers linking the film Rabbit-Proof Fence to the landmark Bringing them Home report.
The Commission encourages teachers to refer to the material and dedicate class time during reconciliation week (27 May to 3 June), and coming weeks, to discussing the history of the Stolen Generations. The screening of Rabbit-Proof Fence in 2002 has renewed community interest in the Stolen Generations. It is vital that this interest be properly directed to the Report, highlighting the systematic nature of removals.
A more comprehensive education package on the Stolen Generations, and associated indigenous social justice issues, will be released by the Commission later in 2002.
Education materials on the Stolen Generations and Rabbit-Proof Fence can be accessed from:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/info_for_teachers/current_issues.html
Other information on Bringing them Home can be found at:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/stolen_children/index.html
ACSJC Resources:
Sorry Day Statement
On the first National Sorry Day, 26 May 1998, the ACSJC issued a Sorry Statement, apologising to the Stolen Generations and their descendants, that remains valid today. The full text can be accessed from the previous media releases archive on this website.
Check the Media Releases archive on this website for other comment by the ACSJC on topical issues related to reconciliation.
Action Leaflet & Prayer Card
Together with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, the ACSJC produced the Ten Steps Towards Reconciliation Action Leaflet & Prayer Card . The action leaflet provides suggestions of simple actions that can be taken by individuals and small groups, and some inspirational quotes. The accompanying prayer card is perfect for use in schools, parishes and small groups. Contact the ACSJC Secretariat to request these free resources. Donations towards the costs of printing and postage would be appreciated.
Catholic Social Justice Series paper
Catholic Social Justice Series No 21, The Catholic Human Rights Tradition & the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , by Sandie Cornish can be ordered from the ACSJC Secretariat for $5.50 plus postage. This paper presents the major elements of the Catholic human rights tradition, and traces important developments in Catholic teaching on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Catholics & the Process of Reconciliation
During the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation’s 1999 consultations for a draft Document for Reconciliation, and draft Strategies for Reconciliation, the ACSJC produced a paper called Catholics & the Process of Reconciliation. It presented a brief history of the process of reconciliation, Catholic theological reflection on reconciliation, and invited Catholics to contribute to the development of the draft Document for reconciliation and the draft Strategies for Reconciliation . The paper’s reflections on the Catholic theology of reconciliation remain valid today. This paper is available on request from the ACSJC Secretariat.
Church Teaching
Recent statements by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference can be accessed at www.catholic.org.au
Papal statements can be accessed at www.vatican.va
For a collection of key Church documents relating to Indigenous people, see Always the Same Spirit , Sandie Cornish (Ed), St Pauls, Homebush, 1996. This book reproduces extracts from significant texts and presents an overview of the development of these teachings both internationally, and in Australia.
Liturgy & Worship For liturgy and worship resources, see the Spirituality page of this website, or refer to the websites below.
Useful websites:
Your local Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, www.acc.asn.au/ The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council www.natsicc.org.au The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia www.ncca.org.au
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