Historic Conference spotlights First Nations voices

By Assembly Policy and Advocacy Officer Raúl Sugunananthan

The historic conference, Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution, took place last week in Melbourne. Held by the University of Divinity in collaboration with the School of Indigenous Studies, the ecumenical conference brought together Indigenous theologians and church leaders from across the country. 

The four-day conference was a time for truth-telling and committing to action. With keynotes from the likes of Professor Dr Anne Pattel-Gray, Professor Stan Grant, and Rev Canon Dr Garry Deverell, the gathering spoke directly to the colonial foundations of the Australian Church and challenged every Christian on these lands to reconsider how they practise their faith.

I was personally struck by the stories of ongoing struggle for First Nations communities. The disproportionate incarceration of children is still shockingly high, traditional lands are still being exploited for commercial interests and calls for treaty are scarcely being answered.

On the last day, several heads of churches responded to the conference, including the President of the Uniting Church Rev Sharon Hollis. Rev Hollis expressed the deep commitment of the UCA to walking with First Peoples, but also acknowledged our failure to live up to the promises we have made. 

"There are things that as a Uniting Church we are seeking to do - to own the history of the parts of the Church that came into union in 1977, our predecessor denominations. There are things we are doing to seek to create structures where Indigenous People can have more self-determination. But I know that whatever we are doing, is not enough," Rev Hollis said in her response. 

"I am conscious particularly that there is a Covenant between the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Assembly. An agreement-making document that speaks of evil, and speaks of our sin, and speaks of our desire to lament, and repent, and to do more."

"I lament and confess that we are not an honourable partner yet in that Covenant. I can’t commit the whole Uniting Church to being an honourable partner, but I commit as the President of the Assembly to keep speaking this truth, and keep calling us to do better." 

The conference also took time to recognise the efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who have made great contributions to the Church, including the Award of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) to Dr Aunty Jean Phillips. The honour acknowledes a lifetime of leadership and her enduring efforts to building understanding and reconciliation for First Nations people. 

For many, the conference marks a turning point for our Church. We must reverse the colonial assumption that Second Peoples are the theological teacher. Now is the time for the Church to understand it must learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. My hope is that we more deeply commit to resourcing Indigenous Christian leadership and strengthen our calls for justice for First Peoples. 

Read the response from UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis in FULL

Images: University of Divinity. Credit: Chris Kapa