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The painting to the right was painted by Aboriginal artist William Parmbuk. It was his way of putting down his idea of how the Christian Brothers (now the Edmund Rice Network) work together with the Aboriginal people.

The cross represents Christ at the centre, forgiveness and reconciliation. The rays of the cross are the four Christian Brothers Provinces, The black dots are for Indigenous Peoples, and white dots are for non-Indigenous Peoples. The Spirit figures represent young people and movement into the future. The didgeridoo shows the breath of the Spirit going out. All of this is embraced by strength and respect represented by the boomerangs.
Artist William Parmbuk, Port Keats, NT.

The Edmund Rice Network has very definite Protocols established to guide how they work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These can be found by clicking Protocols.

Indigenous Issues: The Latest

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission NATSIEC is a commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). In 2005, the NCCA and NATSIEC signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The intent of the MOU was to have in place an agreed procedure for the NCCA to act respectfully, appropriately, and in solidarity, with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, through NATSIEC. Since the original MOU was signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP) has been endorsed, with the Australian Government confirming its support in 2007. At the NCCA Forum, held in June 2010, the MOU was amended to recognize this development. An amended statement was added which reads: The NCCA notes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and affirms particularly its principles of equality, nondiscrimination, consultation and cooperation when pursuing harmonious and respectful relationships with the First Peoples of this land.
Ward Tragedy: the good, the bad and the ugly Two-and-a-half years after Aboriginal elder Mr Ward cooked to death in the back of a prison transport van, the family has had some good and bad news. On July 29, Attorney-General Porter announced $3.2 million compensation. It's spread across Mr Ward's widow Nancy Donegan, trust funds for the children and an interim payment. Dollars don't compensate for the appalling circumstances, let alone the loss of a human being. But this is a decent thing to do.
Where is Aboriginal Australia in this Federal election? Aboriginal Australia's place on the national political agenda was 'looking good' on 14 February 2008. Then-Prime Minister Rudd had conveyed the historic 'Sorry' apology to the Stolen Generations a day earlier. He later endorsed the Close the Gap campaign, promising landmark gains in health, education and longevity. Current PM Julia Gillard led a 'social inclusion agenda' as Federal Education Minister. Carrots and sticks were offered all Universities to increase undergraduate enrolment from Aboriginal and other 'equity groups'. So here's the riddle. Where is Aboriginal Australia in this Federal election? Why the muteness in party campaigns?
Reading for Reconciliation Australians are notoriously ignorant of the historical and current injustices suffered by our Indigenous peoples. This is largely due to the fact that we learned very little about them in school and society in general and newspapers in particular give a very "white" view of Aboriginal affairs. We acknowledge that there is a problem but it is presented as something which is caused by the Indigenous people and which they need to fix. "Stop causing us problems." Reading for Reconciliation is a group of people who commit themselves to raising their awareness of the situation as experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples. They do this by reading texts written by or which present the views of our Indigenous Australians.
Acknowledging traditional owners is an accepted sign of respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda has rejected the idea that acknowledging traditional owners is tokenistic, saying it is an accepted mark of respect. "The High Court of Australia in the Mabo decision recognised the fact that Australia was occupied when the British came here and that the land (and the seas) continued to be cared for, occupied, utilised and identified as the land of different tribal groups, operating in accordance with their customary laws and traditions," Commissioner Gooda said.
I wish to make this a page to bring attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues which are currently being discussed in the news or on various other websites. You may also add your comments to the discussion found at: http://www.edmundricecommunity.com/group/indigenousissues I have just discovered an interesting 125 page book free to download which you may find interesting. It is a story told from the point of view of Lex Wotton the man charged with being the ringleader of the "riot" on Palm Island in November 26, 2004. This protest was sparked by the findings of the autopsy of Cameron Doomadgee, alias Mulrunji, who died in custody on Palm Island. Download
Unfinished OZ Campaign This website and hopefully the Edmund Rice Network would like to get behind Reconciliation Australia in the campaign which they call "Unfinished Oz" To mark the 10th anniversary of the Bridge Walks for Reconciliation, a new public awareness campaign has been launched asking Australians to recommit to reconciliation -and ‘help finish Oz’.