Reconciliation
“We acknowledge all First Peoples of the land on which live, walk and work on. We honour them and their Ancestors for their survival, continued traditions and spiritual connection to and caring of country, land, sky, water and sea. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and will continue to support their right to self-determination.
We are committed to Reconciliation and respectfully recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded.”
Reconciliation is an essential part of being a Christian. Our vision for reconciliation is a future of openness where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of this country will be restored to a place of equity, dignity and respect. We are committed to assisting, encouraging and resourcing ministry to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We pledge to consult and work with each other as equal partners in the development of our Church and land, in our communities, parishes and diocese.
We invite all who call Australia their home to join us and as we continue the process of healing our peoples and this land and seas.
Follow the Reconciliation Action ACSQ Facebook Page for the latest Events & News.
Warning: First Nations Peoples are warned that the following content may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The 2021–2023 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan provides a framework for parishes, schools, ministries and Commissions to engage with and support the national Reconciliation movement.
Our vision for Reconciliation
The ACSQ’s vision for Reconciliation is a future of openness where the First Nations peoples will be restored to a place of equity, dignity, and respect.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Significant changes that have been incorporated into the new Innovate RAP include:
raising awareness of the Uluru Statement from the Heart (#ulurustatement) and campaigns such as #StopDeathsInCustody and #RaiseTheAge
engagement with and supporting the 150th anniversary of ‘The Coming of the Light’ celebrations
expanding on procurement actions, for example:
developing and implementing a First Nations procurement strategy
developing and communicating a list of First Nations businesses for procurement of goods and services across ACSQ
investigating Supply Nation membership
developing commercial relationships with First Nations businesses and artists
human resources – recruitment and retention strategies.
Our Artist - Stevie O'Chin
Three stunning interrelated Aboriginal dot paintings, representing our Diocesan Regions and commissioned by the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, are travelling individually around our Diocese and are being displayed as a reminder of our Christian call to Reconciliation. Each artwork represents a geographical faith Region of our Diocesan community – the Northern, Southern and Western Regions – and join together as one united piece, with the Pacific Ocean bordering the joint work’s right-hand-side.
These three artworks tie in directly with the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan and will travel around our community as a reminder of our Christian call to Reconciliation. At key Diocesan events the three paintings will come together as a symbol of ‘Being Together’ and that we are one Church.
The dot paintings were created by talented emerging artist Stevie O’Chin, who belongs to the Kabi Kabi and Koa peoples on her father’s side and the Yuin people on her mother’s side. Stevie O’Chin said that the intricate circles in each artwork represent our Diocese’s Marks of Mission and share common motifs.
“Each circle has ‘U shapes’ that surround the symbols – these symbolise people gathering together to worship, and the blue dotted rings around each symbol in the circles mark the spiritual healing power of God,” Ms O’Chin said. “The seven symbols painted within circles in the tri-Regional landscape represent the seven Marks of Mission of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland.”
Dot painting is an ancient and deeply symbolic practice of the world’s oldest continuously living culture and started with sand, soil, and body ‘canvases’. Now one of the most internationally recognised Aboriginal art forms, First Nations artists commenced dot painting on framed stretched canvases in the 1970s.
Ms O’Chin said, “that she carries on a family legacy of Aboriginal dot painting. My paintings are inspired by my surroundings and stories told to me by my parents and family elders.”
Executive Director of Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission and RAP Working Group member Dr Stephen Harrison said, “that the three artworks support the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and symbolise our Diocesan community’s collective commitment to Reconciliation.
Seven Marks of Mission
An Overview of the Reconciliation Action Plan
Relationships | Pages 20-27
The Anglican Church Southern Queensland seeks to work in partnership with First Nations peoples by developing a relationship of mutual trust and respect, which is at the heart of this mission. This RAP provides the basis for all Commissions, ministries, and agencies to develop connections and partnerships with First Nations peoples and share experiences, thus promoting and fostering Reconciliation throughout the Diocese and the broader community.
The past relationship between churches and First Nations communities has been complicated. The ACSQ continues to move forward and reach out to communities for mutual healing by developing productive programmes and initiatives that connect, engage and partner with First Nations peoples.
Respect | Pages 28-32
The Anglican Church Southern Queensland recognises that learning about the cultures and histories of First Nations peoples is fundamental to the RAP in reconciling relationships. Non-Indigenous Australians are the beneficiaries of the custodianship of Traditional Owners for their respective Country which warrants respect, gratitude, and celebration.
This RAP fosters opportunities for all ACSQ Commissions, ministries, and agencies to acknowledge the cultures and survival of First Nations peoples,
locally and nationally, by respecting cultural protocols, celebrating significant events in the First Nations calendar, and learning about our shared history.
Opportunities | Pages 33-35
The Anglican Church Southern Queensland recognises the injustices that have led to disadvantage among First Nations peoples and seeks to continue the healing process and the breaking down of existing barriers. The RAP seeks to support Close the Gap objectives for First Nations peoples regarding health, employment, and wellbeing.
This RAP provides the basis for increasing the involvement of First Nations peoples in the ACSQ through employment, ministry, and procurement.
Governance | Pages 36-37
In our commitment to Reconciliation, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland understands the importance of good governance and the need for First Nations peoples’ voices to be included wherever possible in decision making. This will be a key focus over the next two years. There will also be a stronger focus on how we monitor, evaluate and report on RAP outcomes. We would also like to better celebrate our key achievements towards Reconciliation both internally and externally.
More than a word - Reconciliation takes action
God of all our dreaming, God of grace and love, we give you thanks for being able to seek Reconciliation with one another.
We pray that our first action may be to be reconciled in You through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May we all know Your peace Lord.
May we all know Your justice.
We pray for the First Nations people who are still suffering because Your peace and Your justice have seemed but distant dreams.
Help us to help each other Lord.
Help us then take the steps as First Nations Peoples and all others in this land to walk this journey together.
We remember in our prayers those who walked this land in the past and whose spirits we walk with now.
We ask for blessings on those who walk this land now, that they may have a voice in this land.
We pray that we will all walk together into a future in Christ.
May the stories we all bear and the love in which we walk always reflect Your image dear Lord.
In the name of the unifying Christ.
Amen.
Painting by Kath Walker (later Oodgeroo, Noonuccal) found in the Sanctuary of St Mark's Church, Dunwich - dated to 1955 (Image courtesy of The Rev'D Danni Clark, Parish of East Redlands)
Play a part in the Reconciliation movement
Build relationships
Connect with the local Traditional Owners and community to participate in their community events.
Invite people from your church to participate in a National Reconciliation Week activity.
Establish a group of members committed to social justice for First Nations Peoples and develop your own Reconciliation goals.
Demonstrate respect
Include an Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome to Country before services, parish council meetings or other significant events.
Celebrate NAIDOC Week in Sunday service liturgies.
Participate in the Coming of the Light celebrations.
Host a small group study to learn about the histories and cultures of First Nations Peoples.
Create opportunities
Buy goods and services from First Nations suppliers.
Develop commercial relationships with First Nations businesses and artists.
Support governance
Appoint a Reconciliation Champion within the parish.
Report Reconciliation achievements/ challenges/learnings to parish council.
Let's work together in Reconciliation
Yo-wah ngambli balka dahgu yaga na Reconciliation
Heal country ... Heal us
Djarr yaga ... Ngali-ba yaga
We thank Elder Gaja Kerry Charlton for the translation of this text into Yugarabul language.