RECONCILIATION WEEK - MESSAGE STICK
Reconciliation Week started on the 27th of May and finishes today, the 3rd of June. The theme of Reconciliation Week is “In This Together.”
“The National Reconciliation Week 2020 theme reinforces that we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures,” she said.
“When we come together to build mutual respect and understanding, we shape a better future for all Australians.” Karen Mundine
At Saints Peter and Paul, we are in the process of designing a Message Stick for NAIDOC Mass on 24th of July. Our Indigenous students are contributing their own designs for our Message Stick that represent our school’s story. We will combine their designs onto the on Message Stick, which will decorate a special Cross for the Mass.
The Message Stick is one of the many ways Aboriginal people communicated and sometimes the stick was used as a teaching stick for drawing boundaries, sacred ceremonial places, totems and tracking animals throughout the land. When a Message Stick is handed to you from another person, you then become the Messenger.
Traditionally, Message Sticks were passed between different clans and language groups to establish information and transmit messages. They were often used to invite neighbouring groups to corroborees, initiation ceremonies, rite of entry to country and as an invitation to religious rituals.
Due to Covid 19, the NAIDOC Mass will be streamed this year, so that everyone can view the Mass.
This pictures below are examples of a Message Stick. Once finished, a picture of Sts Peter and Paul's Message Stick will be posted in the Newsletter.
