Published by Beryl Rahman at 9 January 2024

Australia Day / Survival Day_26th January 2024

Our Team - Common Grace

https://www.commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_prayer_resources

We invite you to join together as we pause to reflect and acknowledge January 26, in lament, prayer and action for justice.

Join together with Christians across these lands taking action to learn, pray, acknowledge and walk together in friendship for healing and justice on January 26, 2024.

Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon provides this reflection about January 26:

“On January 26, the whole nation pauses to celebrate, reflect, and remember that Captain Arthur Phillip, sailed into what is now known as Sydney Cove with eleven shiploads of convicts, to establish a penal colony, hoist the British flag at Sydney Cove, and claim possession over these lands on behalf of the British Empire.

For Australia’s First Peoples, there is a completely different narrative. This day and date signify a “Day of Mourning.” “Survival Day.” “Sovereignty Day.” It represents the disruption and dispossession of First Nations history and cultural connections to their lands, language and heritage. This day and date confront and remind First Nations Peoples about their loss and ongoing suffering and trauma and struggle for justice, dignity and basic human rights.

How can these two powerful competing national narratives embark on a meaningful Biblical and theological dialogue about their future together on these lands we call Australia? And with the Creator’s blessings?”

Watch a powerful video conversation with Uncle Ray Minniecon reflecting on the very first Bible passage and sermon ever given on Aboriginal land (filmed for Aboriginal Sunday 2024) here.

Explore ideas below as together we are led by Aboriginal Christian Leaders to mark January 26, 2024.

Change the Heart Prayer

Creator God,

As we come to you and take this time to be still, to reflect, to listen and pray, we ask that you would speak and have your way in our hearts.

You formed these ancient lands now called Australia and the boundaries of each Aboriginal nation.

Every plant, animal, river, mountain, and all created things have their place and purpose.

Our languages, songlines, dances and stories still connect us to you and guide us to worship you along with all creation.

Lord, you have seen and felt the disruption, the murder, theft, pain and injustice. The land is blood-stained.

The cries of our people echo in the silence. Trauma and grief overwhelm us.

We lament together and ask that the truth will be brought into the light. The truth that will bring freedom and healing.

We pray that justice will roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.

Raise up our people and empower us with your strength.

Bring alongside us our non-Indigenous brothers and sisters and help their eyes to be open and hearts to be soft.

You are the ultimate redeemer, and in the same way that you reconciled us back to you, you call us to be reconciled to one another.

To love one another as you have loved us.

To be one as you are one, yet recognising that we are diverse, different parts of the same body.

You give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

We receive a double portion and everlasting joy in your presence.

In Jesus’ name we pray

Amen.

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26th January: A Day of Reflection – not Celebration

On 26th January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack and proclaimed British sovereignty over the eastern part of the Australian continent. What historically started as a day to celebrate the founding of the British colony of New South Wales, January 26th has now become a day when many Australians celebrate national identity and unity. However, the land on which these historical events occurred was never his to proclaim. The land belonged to First Nations peoples, and had done for over 70,000 years.

First Nations peoples – and increasing numbers of other Australians – perceive this day of celebration to actually be about celebrating colonialism and dispossession. For First Nations peoples it is invasion day or survival day, and it is a day of protest. As it should be. January 26 is not an appropriate date to celebrate, and it certainly can never be a day for national unity. It is a day for reflection certainly, but not for celebration.

Unlike most other countries, Australia does not have a dedicated national day to inspire unity and a sense of national collective purpose. Our national day in contrast celebrates the power of conquest, violence and taking away of a sovereign peoples land against their will. Such aggression and theft has consequences, and one of those consequences is maturely accepting that January 26 can never be a national day to inspire unity and pride. We need to find another date.

Unfortunately, many Australians were schooled by colonial narratives and erroneous discourses about First Nations peoples that originate from 1788. Such narratives and discourses have reassured Australians that the country was somehow legally and peacefully settled, that Australian history is overwhelmingly positive and that we are not responsible as a nation for injustices committed against First Nations peoples. This is best referred to as the ‘white blindfold’ view of history. Nothing could be further from the historical truth.

The Edmund Rice Centre stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples to address historical injustices and to heal relationships that have been broken over the course of history. As a nation our human dignity will be respected when we fulfil our responsibilities towards First Nations people.

On the 26 January we need to reflect on the history of this country and the treatment of First Nations people and think deeply about how we can change the future of our great nation. We can start by changing the date to truly celebrate national unity as well as recognize a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.

Authorised by: Phil Glendenning AM, Director, Edmund Rice Centre

January 25, 2023 http://www.erc.org.au/ Edmund Rice Centre · Australia

NATSICC Statement after the Referndum

When we started this journey, we knew it would not be easy. We knew that there were many hurdles to overcome. This has been the case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for over 200 years. Our strong culture and spirituality have helped us to survive through challenges, and an unsuccessful outcome to the Voice to Parliament referendum is just another challenge that we will face with dignity, respect and without losing hope.

Throughout this journey we, the members of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) have placed an emphasis on fostering respectful dialogue and providing Catholics with information to help them make their decision. We are proud to have maintained the stance that all people are created equal in the image of God and thus deserve to be respectfully treated, regardless of their stance on the referendum question.

Guided by the Catholic social teaching principle of Subsidiarity, we (along with most First Australians) saw the value in a mechanism for our voice, and the voices of our children and grandchildren to be heard in Parliament and the potential for tangible outcomes to improve the day to day lives of our people. We also acknowledged that this was not the only way forward, but a step on the journey of Reconciliation.

We accept that, for a variety of reasons, the Australian people have decided that an enshrined Voice is not the way to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution, or see it as useful to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples gain an equal footing on metrics such as life expectancy, health and socio economics. What we must not accept is that this signals the end of the journey. Statistics from the Closing the Gap strategy show that we cannot maintain the status quo. We now call on those that espoused alternatives to champion Indigenous-led ideas and initiatives that will address these practical issues, and for all people in this country to work for reconciliation.

Fear, confusion, and misinformation has impacted relationships between communities, families and friendships. The biggest tragedy we face as a nation is to hold onto resentment and disagreements, allowing them to fester and divide us further. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Embracing this spirit of forgiveness can pave the way for shared healing and unity.
As we look towards the future, we are heartened by the impact and response to the One Journey, Together website. 30 Catholic organisations, including the peak bodies for Catholic Health, Education and Social Services, congregations and groups articulated their support of the Voice and will be valuable allies as we move forward in our shared work of reconciliation.

The path of reconciliation and unity is a long one, but it is one that we must tread with unwavering faith and determination. The challenges we face are not insurmountable, and with the collective strength of our communities and the guidance of our faith, we can envision a brighter future for all.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

With this hope in our hearts, we, the members of NATSICC, will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We are certain that our family, the Catholic Church continues to walk alongside us. As Chaplain to NATSICC, Bishop Charles Gauci joins with us in these thoughts and prayers and hopes that “we be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we can grow together in the way Jesus teaches us.”

We believe that together, with love, understanding, and the grace of God, we can build a future where every individual is recognized, respected, and cherished.