INDIGENOUS NEWS
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education NSW State Conference 2019
This year the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander State Conference was held in the Hunter Valley on the traditional lands of the Wonnarua people. The conference brought together over 500 Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal educators including 40 from the Wollongong Diocesan in the spirit of reconciliation. The focus of the conference was on incorporating Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander content, perspectives, culture & pedagogy in Catholic education.
The theme of the conference was inspired by the traditional custodians of the region, their culture, ritual, ceremony, language & connection to country. The focal themes of the conference were:
Punaal – the Spirit of the Sun
Ponte-Boone – the Spirit of the Moon
Biamie – the Creator Spirit
Guest speakers included Dr Jeff McMullen & multiple Olympian Kurt Fernley & presenters were exceptional, delivering powerful messages about the past, present & future of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders.
All attendees participated in a range of cultural & spiritual workshops including visits to local sacred sites where we were guided on our journey by local elders. The conference also focused on sharing success stories from around the state & discussion took place on how these initiatives can be extended & adapted into more of our Catholic schools.
