Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking
Walking with Elders, learning from their ancient wisdom and wrestling with the lessons that creation - 'God's oldest voice' - has to teach us today
May 26, 2025
This article was first published in VOX, the bulletin of the University of Divinity. It is republished with permission.
By Dr Rosemary Dewerse, Academic Dean and Research Coordinator at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) in South Australia
In Semester 1, 2025, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) – a college of the University of Divinity – has taught its first Indigenous Studies unit led by Adnyamathanha Elder Reverend Dr Aunty Denise Champion (NAIDOC SA 2024 Scholar of the Year, and Theologian in Residence at the College), with Dr Rosemary Dewerse (Academic Dean).
Since 2013, the College has held four-day Walking on Country experiences, but the dream has always been to build in more time for deeper thinking and relationship-building.
“We practised Yanakanai, coming together around the campfire, over meals, billy tea and damper to yarn, and Ngakarra Nguniankulu, deeply listening to and discerning Arrawatanha-God in their story speaking to God in our own.”
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
‘Yarta Wandatha’ as an Indigenous Studies unit begins by exploring the very complex, contradictory and difficult story of Christian mission across Aboriginal lands, including for Aunty Denise’s people. It asks, ‘Who then is Jesus?’ in such spaces for First Nations peoples, listening for how different voices are responding. Then, to explore how ‘ethical’ ministry could be newly defined and lived today, we particularly attend to the wisdom of Adnyamathanha.
‘Yarta Wandatha’ means ‘the Land is speaking, the people are speaking.’
This semester we immersed ourselves in the grandeur of Ikara Flinders Ranges, travelling to Blinman and Wilpena Pound, listening to Muda and insights from Aunty Denise and Kristian Coulthard, singing together in language, and pausing often to soak up the lessons Yarta/Country was offering us.
We practised Yanakanai, coming together around the campfire, over meals, billy tea and damper to yarn, and Ngakarra Nguniankulu, deeply listening to and discerning Arrawatanha-God in their story speaking to God in our own.
Lessons emerging in reflection so far include the need to: unravel presumptions and assumptions to open ourselves to First Nations peoples’ wisdom; recognise that we are all born of Creator (‘one blood’ as per John Harris’ seminal book on mission history in Australia) but our differences bring a wealth of perspective and deeper richness to community; attend to the wisdom of creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ (as Aunty Denise says); accept as grateful guests the gracious hospitality of First Nations hosts, not be afraid of stepping out of comfort zones and of making a mistake but choose to practice respectful enquiry; and to commit to listening, learning and re-learning in humility and telling this story on.
Such lessons being gained from this journey with Adnyamathanha Yarta and Yura (Country and People) we recognise teach us how to be honourably engaging with all peoples.
In Semester 2, we are offering the opportunity to travel on Yarluwe-Ruwe (Sea-Country) with Uncle Ken Sumner, a Kukabrak Ngarrindjeri korni (man) for the unit Kungan Kaldowinyeri: Listening to Creation. We already have a full class enrolled!
These units are available to all for-credit or for-audit students of UCLT/UD or as a cross-institutional enrolment. Places are limited. Priority is given to those studying for credit.
Contact Uniting College for Leadership and Theology now to book your place for 2026: (08) 8416 8420 or info@unitingcollege.edu.au.
Images by Simon Story, Gaby Coutlhard and David Bailey.
More news from the Assembly
Season of Creation 2025 has begun!
Season of Creation 2025 calls us to ‘peace with creation’ Find a range of resources on this page #seasonofcreationUCA #peacewithcreation Throughout September and into early October, millions of Christians across the world are marking the Season of Creation, an annual invitation to pray, reflect and act in care for the Earth -…
MCIF Conference: shared mission across oceans
Shared mission across oceans The 190th MCIF Conference provided an opportunity to strengthen ties across the Pacific through worship and prayer, as well as dialogue on faith, justice and discipleshipLast week, the 190th annual conference of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma (MCIF) was held in Suva, where President Rev Charissa Suli represented the…
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid UCA’s UnitingWorld among delegation to lobby Federal parliamentariansby Marcus Campbell, Communications Manager at UnitingWorld Last week, Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of the UCA agency UnitingWorld, joined the Micah Australia Women Leaders Delegation in Canberra for three days of advocacy meetings with Members of Parliament from across…
Position Available: Administration and Comms Officer - Act2 Commissions
Position Available: Administration & Communications Officer – Act2 Commissions Use your administration and communications skills in a purpose-driven initiative. Apply by 19 SeptemberAdministration & Communications Officer – Act2 Commissions Uniting Church in Australia Assembly The Uniting Church in Australia is embarking on a bold journey of renewal through the Act2 Project – a whole-of-Church initiative…
Webinar consultation: Decade of Intercultural Transformation Proposal
Consultation on a proposal for Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Co-hosted by the Assembly Being a Multicultural Church Circle and the Assembly Resourcing Unit, join this webinar exploring an exciting possibility You’re invited! Consultation on a proposal for a Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Following a joyful celebration of the 40th anniversary of…
Online meeting the first for new National Commission
New National Commission gathers for first time The Assembly’s new Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership met for the first time, beginning a vital journey of renewal, connection, and faithful stewardship across the life of the Church by Dr Damian Palmer, Executive Officer of the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership The Uniting…
Take Action for Palestine: Take part in a creative action
Take Action for Palestine: Take part in PIEN’s creative actionGather your community to take part in a creative action being coordinated by the Palestine and Israel Ecumenical Network. For the past two years the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) have produced a video showing Christians holding signs calling for an end to the injustice in…
Take Action for Palestine: Write to the Government
Take Action for Palestine: Write to the government Use this template letter made available by the Assembly to write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister or your local MP urging action for a just peace and an end to occupation. This letter is based on the official position of the Uniting Church Assembly,…