Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of
Reconciliation
In recent decades different religious traditions in Australia have had a growing
appreciation of Aboriginal spirituality and have become involved in supporting the
movement for reconciliation.
Historical role of Christian groups in the reconciliation process
A wide variety of Christian groups are a part of the reconciliation movement and
in support of issues such as land rights, native title and a formal apology to the
Stolen Generation. In fact many Christian denominations have designated
committees to ensure that they maintain a close working relationship with Aboriginal
people.
Historically Christian groups were one of the first advocates of Aboriginal rights.
In 1967 the Catholic Church and representatives of the Australian Council of
Churches were among the most prominent leaders of the campaign for the referendum
to grant Aboriginal Australians citizenship.
In 1975 various church groups supported and applauded the passing of the first land
rights legislation by the Whitlam Government. In 1992 the Mabo decision was
publicly welcomed by many church groups. When conservative political factions and
various media groups began a fear campaign, churches made strong statements
affirming that the Mabo decision was just. Similarly in 1998, in spite of opposition
from various political groups, farmers and miners, churches adamantly opposed the
Ten Point Plan, which they saw as a severe and unjust reduction on the rights of
Aboriginal people to make native title claims.
ANTaR
During this time ANTaR, which stands for Australians for Native Title and
Reconciliation, was formed. This church supported community based organisation is
one of the most prominent community groups advocating indigenous rights and
organised the Sea of Hands display promoting reconciliation and justice. Phil
Glendenning, the director of the Christian Brother's Edmund Rice Centre for Justice
and Community Education, is also the national president of ANTaR.
Formal apology to Stolen Generation
Whilst the campaign for native title and land rights is a central platform for church
groups advocating Aboriginal rights, church groups are also involved in a range of
issues to assist the ongoing process of reconciliation. For example, in 1997 following
the publication of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission's
(HREOC) report Bringing Them Home church groups offered formal apologies
regarding the role of missionaries in the abuse of Aboriginal people. They also
strongly urged the Government to make a public apology for their role in
implementing the protection and assimilation policies, and to implement the
recommendations made by HREOC.
Interfaith support for reconciliation
Reconciliation is an issue for which there is interfaith support from different
religious traditions. Jewish groups for example hold a week of prayer for
reconciliation every year. In 1998 the Australian and New Zealand Union for
Progressive Judaism voiced their support for the Wik decision and opposed the Ten
Point Plan.
In 2000 the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry also urged the Australian
Government to implement the recommendations made by the National Inquiry into
the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Their Families.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship
have also made statements in support of indigenous rights and reconciliation.