Sisters of St Joseph in Partnership with Aboriginal Groups and Communities

Aboriginal Partnerships: Overview

The Sisters of St Joseph enter into Partnership with Indigenous Peoples of this land (Australia) believing that their commitment is a call to encounter 'God in the many faces of Indigenous Peoples.' It is a call:

To learn from them, to receive from   them, to support them in their struggle for justice and equity. It is an experience of God which is painful, disturbing, profoundly biblical and founded in the incarnation of Christ.
(Constitutions, Srs of St Joseph no. 14)

The Sisters state that they 'are now called to stand in solidarity with and move towards partnership with Indigenous Peoples... acknowledging that conversion is a process that touches our hearts and calls us to action to grow in right relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
(Sisters of St Joseph 1999 Review of Ministry with Australian Indigenous Peoples, p.4, Appendix)

Mary MacKillop's Vision
Informal Involvement
Formal Involvement: Education
Formal Involvement: Spirituality Centre
Sisters' present involvement
Committees and Reviews

 
Mary MacKillop's Vision:

Influenced by the work of her cousin, Fr Duncan McNab and her brother Fr Donald MacKillop sj Mary MacKillop had a strong desire to make a Josephite foundation in the Northern Territory. Because of circumstances beyond her control this venture, which was to be at Daly River (Rapid Bay), did not eventuate.

"I hope Donald will be able to take some Sisters back with him. If so, I am to go with them and see them settled. I shall have no worry there, and I ought to go to encourage the Sisters." (Letter of Mary MacKillop 22.12.1892)

 
Informal Involvement

In the oral tradition of both Josephite sisters and Aboriginal groups, there are numerous stories of positive interaction between Sisters who were involved in education in country towns and local Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people living in such places as Hillston, Walgett, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Moora and the twin goldfield towns of Kalgoorlie-Boulder hold such memories in their family history.

 
Formal Involvement : Education

In response to a formal request from Church authorities, the Sisters opened a primary school at Wyndham in the East Kimberley and three years later established a similar school at the developing town of Kununurra on the Ord River. Over the next twenty-five the Sisters became involved in Two-Way Education at the remote Aboriginal communities at Turkey Creek (now Warmun), Ringer Soak (Yaruman) and Red Hill located on the outskirts of the frontier town of Halls Creek

All these schools were established at the request of the local Aboriginal community. From the outset, there has been a strong partnership between Aboriginal parents and Elders and the Sisters.

 
Formal Involvement: Spirituality Centre

Another Kimberley initiative was the setting up of Mirrilingki Spirituality Centre at Warmun (formerly Turkey Creek). This centre provides opportunities for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to engage in personal and spiritual development courses. In recent years the centre has promoted Reconciliation and has offered retreats where participants have had the opportunity to meet and pray with Aboriginal people. Mirrilingki also supports Aboriginal interests by hosting Environmental Health and Drug and Alcohol Programs.

 
Sisters' Present Involvement

Today there are Sisters working more directly in partnership with Aboriginal groups throughout Australia. The focus of their work includes: involvement in schools and in adult education, drug and alcohol counselling, pastoral support, advocacy and addressing ongoing issues.

In all their efforts it is the aim of the Sisters to support Aboriginal people as they strive to achieve their aspirations and their goals

Sr Veronica Ryan, working with the women of the Warmun Community in the East Kimberley, was asked to assist them with the writing of their story From digging sticks to writing sticks. The letter sent by the women states: 'Us women will tell the words and Sister Veronica can write it down for us.' The book was launched at Mary MacKillop Place in 2001.

 
Committees and Reviews

Over a period of twenty years, the Sisters working in partnership with Aboriginal people have come together to dialogue with key Aboriginal people, review their involvement, and plan for the future. Reviews (with extensive Aboriginal leadership) have also been carried out.

Aboriginal Planning Committee

In 1996 the first committee, the Central Coordinating Committee (CCC) of Sisters from each province, was formed to implement the General Chapter decisions regarding Indigenous Ministry and Reconciliation. In 1998 the Committee was extended to include four Aboriginal women who had been nominated for this committee. Its task was to prepare a Review process of Josephite involvement with Aboriginal peoples.

After this Review was carried out, the Committee, now referred to as the Aboriginal Planning Committee, began dealing with the implementation of the outcomes of this review. At present this Committee is a forum that provides information and advice to the Congregation and initiates action and develops policy with respect to Aboriginal ministry and issues.

The Aboriginal Planning Committee consists of Josephite and Aboriginal people who represent a range of experience and wisdom. Its members reflect the diversity of place, culture and types of ministry that involve the Congregation. Its members will be rotated in such a way that accumulated knowledge will not be lost.