Reconciliation Week started on the 27^th of May and finishedy on the 3^rd of June. The theme of Reconciliation Week was “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 have designed a Message Stick for NAIDOC Mass on 24^th of July.  Our Indigenous students have contributed their own designs for our Message Stick that represent our school’s story. We have combined 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.

Our Message Stick, pictured below, tells the story of familes travelling together to food and nourishment.