Catholic Diocese of Broome

Caring for God’s Creations

Erica Spry, Researcher, Nulungu Centre for Indigenous Studies

Harmony in the Kimberley region is reflected in both people and country. As a local Kimberley lady, I have grown up with many stories, experiences and history of my people and country. The most striking and important issue, from my perspective, is that Aboriginal people have struggled to get ‘a fair go’, to be understood, to be able to express their identity as a people of God’s creation.

I began my first employment position in Derby at the Kimberley Land Council, where I began to understand the plight of Aboriginal people in the working world. I first learnt of national reconciliation, when my then Executive Director took up the position as Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. Over time, I gained experience in the fields of legal work, land management, health, business enterprises and youth affairs, witnessing growing reconciliation practices. Now, as a mother, I find myself at school assemblies where students practise reconciliation each day. Witnessing the diversity of each student’s cultural background makes me proud to see harmony and acceptance of each other being demonstrated through, for example, the singing of ‘Advance Australia Fair’. The Kimberley has much reconciliation in action, where Aboriginal people, other Australians and people from around the world come to live, work and socialise.

Our Notre Dame campus is reconciliation in action where staff and students share stories and learn new skills to contribute to our community. Being unaware of the plight of Aboriginal people is no longer an excuse; all are welcome to come and learn and gain understanding and knowledge through the Aboriginal Studies courses we have on offer.

Over time, I have become even more immersed in working in ways that contribute to a better understanding of people and country. This work has led me to a variety of different experiences. For example, in 2007, I was the first Kimberley Aboriginal person to be trained as a ‘Climate Change Project’ presenter, based on the work of Mr Al Gore, international advocate for climate change. This programme is managed by the Australian Conservation Foundation and supported by the Kimberley Land Council. My motivation for the work that I do comes from my senior Traditional Owners and the respect, joy and love that I have for my traditional country.

In 2008, I was a key note speaker for Catholic Earth Care at the World Youth Day in Sydney; a universal experience of reconciliation and harmony in action. As a young Traditional Owner, I expressed the importance of respecting ourselves and country; both of which are prime examples of God’s creations.

I am now a staff member in the Notre Dame Nulungu Centre for Indigenous Studies research team, where we are working towards developing a ‘Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Country Plan’. This plan will assist Aboriginal organisations, community groups and government departments to work together in the areas of cultural and natural resource management.

These personal and work experiences highlight for me the need to remember and practise reconciliation with each other and all of God’s Creation.