Catholic Diocese of Broome

Notre Dame Kimberley

Joe Edgar, Indigenous Community Liaison Officer and Lecturer, Indigenous Studies, Notre Dame University Broome Campus

Joe Edgar is a descendant of the Karajarri people of the West Kimberley, with affiliations to the Yawuru people of Nalena, Roebuck Bay. Joe studied Business at the University of Notre Dame Australia Broome Campus, graduating in 2000, returning later as a guest lecturer and serving as a member on Campus Council in 2007. He currently holds a dual role at Notre Dame as the Indigenous Community Liaison Officer and a lecturer in Indigenous Studies.

When I was invited to contribute to this edition of KCP, I was initially pleasantly surprised and then a little apprehensive. After much thought I decided to reflect on my journey as a Catholic and as an Indigenous person growing up in Broome and the Kimberley, while being instilled with a strong identity as an Indigenous person.
For me, the quality and dogma that have been constant both in my Christian grounding and my Aboriginal identity is the enormous spirituality that exists and is constantly the focus of our inner well-being; our connection with God and the world within and at large. Life is a constant struggle as we try to understand the world around us while trying to create some sense of balance in our lives.

As a Catholic and an Indigenous person, gaining an understanding of what, why and how things have happened and the way they have affected me, is an ongoing journey travelling alongside the concept of reconciliation; to seek forgiveness and to forgive others. These are catalysts for achieving unity and seeking a way forward.

Whenever I pray I feel closer to God. Whenever I visit country or simply go fishing or meet friends and relatives, my liyarn, my inner feelings, my spirit is lifted. Quite often we get caught up waiting for ‘lightning to strike’, for that clap of thunder that might instantly transform our lives, without realizing that the answers can sometimes be found in the people and/or the things around us and that we need to appreciate those same people and things.

Seeking forgiveness and reconciliation provides humility and helps us to overcome personal obstacles. Public demonstrations of forgiveness and reconciliation are also important, such as the National Sorry Day, which is on 26th May, followed immediately by Reconciliation Week from the 27th May to 3rd June 2010. These events provide a forum and a great opportunity to come together and move forward as one.