The College is celebrating NAIDOC Week this week. The celebrations commenced with a special NAIDOC Week Assembly on Thursday, 28 July 2022, which included a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony & Dance Performance by the Bindjareb Middars.
Mercy Mum and proud Ballardong Yued Noongar woman, Kristy Narkle Carriage, spoke to our community about this year's NAIDOC Week theme of 'GET UP, STAND UP, SHOW UP.' Kristy said: "I am excited that we are finally speaking openly about our culture and allowing First Nations people to be proud, but also encouraging our Non-Indigenous Australians to learn and be proud of our cultures as well."
She gave the following advice to our students: - GET UP: make a conscious effort to learn more about your local Aboriginal community - STAND UP: speak up if you hear negative comments or see unjust actions - SHOW UP: be an ally, be open to standing alongside each other to learn and grow
Following the assembly, Ms Brooke Cuthbertson, Aboriginal Liaisons Officer at the College, invited First Nations families for a Feed and Yarn at the Mercy 101 building. Ms Cuthbertson also provided a sausage sizzle lunch for all students and staff.
Special thanks to the Bindjareb Middars (Uncle TK, Aunty Rosanne, Uncle Ray and the kids), as well as Aunty Cis Narkle, Aunty Karen Jetta, Uncle Basil Hart and Aunty Valerie Ugle.
We would like to also thank all Mercy families for being part of this important celebration.
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group
The College established a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group in Term 1 of 2022. In consultation with students, community and staff, the group finalised the Our Lady of Mercy College Vision for Reconciliation, which can be read below. The working group are now focusing on assigning Actions & Deliverables.
Vision for Reconciliation
Our Lady of Mercy College’s vision for reconciliation is for a just, equitable and unified nation, where First Nations children have the same opportunities and choices as non-Indigenous children.
Guided by the Mercy Educational Values of Respect, Compassion, Justice, Courage, Service and Hospitality, we aspire to:
Show respect for ourselves, for others and for Country
Be people of compassion
Value justice and to always strive for fairness in our world
Demonstrate courage, especially when we see others being treated unkindly or unfairly
Be of service to others by supporting and caring for those around us
Show hospitality, by fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful community
We acknowledge that reconciliation is based on five interrelated dimensions – race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. Together, these dimensions represent a holistic and inclusive approach to achieving reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
In the context of our College, we commit to engaging with the wider community to establish positive two-way relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. In order to promote equality and equity, we foster environments, where children can participate in a range of opportunities equally and the rights of all people are recognised and upheld. We acknowledge and embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and rights as a proud part of our shared national identity. Through education and understanding, we provide a space for authentic truth-telling and historical acceptance to occur.
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