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
Uniting Church urges Australia to stand with Pacific on fossil fuels
Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to turn Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbours into action by backing a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. Rev Suli is among 80 senior Australian faith leaders who have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to support a…
Kulini… Are you listening?
Kulini… Are you listening?Northern Synod gathers for four days of worship, deep listening and discernment By Micheal ZewdieThe 48th Northern Synod brought members of the Uniting Church together in Darwin for four days of worship, conversation, discernment and celebration, with the invitation “Kulini… are you listening?” providing a thread through the gathering.“The invitation at the heart…
Faith, culture and hope celebrated as Fijian National Conference concludes
More than 700 people celebrated four joyful days of worship, learning, fellowship and faith as the 2026 UCA Fijian National Conference drew to a close in Fremantle/Walyalup. Bringing together Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church, the Conference strengthened relationships, created space to share stories and celebrated the faith, culture and gifts Fijian communities bring…
'Resilience is no longer enough': Pacific churches issue powerful call for climate justice
Pacific Church leaders have issued an urgent and deeply faith-filled call for climate justice, declaring that communities on the frontline of climate change need more than praise for their resilience. They need justice and decisive action. Gathering in Nadi, Fiji, for an Ecumenical Service marking the beginning of Pre-COP31, Pacific faith leaders brought the lived…
700 Fijian voices unite for climate justice in Fremantle
More than 700 members of the Uniting Church’s Fijian National Conference have joined their voices in a powerful call for climate justice from Fremantle. At the conclusion of the four-day conference, delegates unfurled a huge“Climate Justice Now” banner, standing in solidarity with Pacific churches and communities and calling on Australia to listen to Pacific leadership…
Faith, culture and hope fill Fremantle with the Fijian National Conference
Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church gathered in Fremantle/Walyalup for the 2026 Uniting Church in Australia Fijian National Conference, celebrating faith, culture, fellowship and hope. The Conference opened on Thursday evening with a Welcome to Country from Rev Mitchell Garlett of UAICC WA, followed by worship led by Rev William Lucas. Rev Dr Paul…
Waves of Hope: weaving new stories across Oceania
President Rev Charissa Suli has joined theologians, church leaders and practitioners from across Oceania in Fiji for the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) Conference last week. Gathered around the theme “Waves of Hope: Storied Theology for the Whole of Life,” the Presidnet delivered an international keynote, “Building Community; Creating a New Story in…
Held Together begins with listening
Held Together begins with listening President Rev Charissa Suli and leaders of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress gathered on Ngarrindjeri Country to commission an artwork that will speak to the heart of the upcoming conference.“May it be a blessing. May it tell a story. May it build relationship. And may it help…