On April 29th, we were privileged to gather the staff of our schools who are responsible for developing relationship-based learning about First Nations in our schools. We were fortunate to be joined by Yorta Yorta Winyarr, Aunty Vicki Walker who has joined the staff at St Joseph’s Echuca.
Continuing our work from last year’s Conference and first meeting of our Forum, we were encouraged by Vicki to focus on relationships as central to our work in learning about First Nations people, Country, culture and spirituality.
Conscious of the hopelessness and disrespect experienced by First Nations people who have been overpromised and underdelivered in the past, we acknowledged our humility in what we don’t know, and clarified our intentions; to learn from listening deeply to First Nations, to act courageously to support Truth Telling and Reconciliation and offer experiences to our staff and students so we can learn with wonder about this oldest continuing civilisation on Earth.
Rosemary Copeland, Co-Chair of the Trustees, shares a reflection of the day in the next section of this newsletter.