Reconciliation

Acknowledgement of Country

Brisbane Catholic Education recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples as the First peoples of Australia. We acknowledge the many traditional Countries within the Archdiocese of Brisbane. We respectfully acknowledge the Yuggera/Jagera, Turrbul, Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Munujarli, Quandamooka, Ugarapul, Yugambeh, Butchulla / Budjala, Bundjalung, Wakka Wakka and Kombumerri Traditional Custodians of the lands where Brisbane Catholic Education offices and schools are located. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and we acknowledge the ongoing commitment of these Custodians to Catholic education within our schools. Brisbane Catholic Education understands the deep connections that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the lands, seas and waterways of Southeast Queensland and the Torres Straits. We recognise the cultures, histories and diversity within our communities, and we honour the ongoing stewardship First Nations people have with the environment.  

We commit to ongoing reconciliation with First Nations peoples and strive for cultural safe workplaces and schools.  

 
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​​Brisbane Catholic Education is committed to working towards genuine and sustainable reconciliation, to develop a culturally safe and welcoming education system for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, employees, and our wider community.

By continuing to build upon our ongoing reconciliation journey our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan aims to reflect on the significance of reconciliation and how it is essential to our growth as an organisation and a nation, to provide better outcomes for the next generations.

We are a community grounded in faith, and we must inspire and challenge each other and identify where we have fallen short. As Brisbane Catholic Education listens to the voices of First Nation communities, we continue the journey to improving every student's education. 

Through the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025, our goal is to continue building authentic and positive connections to advance reconciliation, create culturally safe environments and better outcomes for students. We respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and honour their cultures, lands, waters histories and rights. We commit to providing opportunities to share knowledge and engage in growth for First Nations staff, students and communities to thrive.

The Brisbane Catholic Education​ Reconciliation Action Plan

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What is an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan? 

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. There are four Reconciliation Action Plan types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – these allow organisations to progress on their reconciliation journey by continuously develop their reconciliation commitments. An Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.​

The Story Behind th​e BCE Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork

​“Like a fresh new dawn, Reconciliation Action Plans provide Hope to heal the hurts of the past and move forward into a brand-new day. This Artwork tells a story of Hope over Brisbane Catholic Education's Reconciliation Journey." Jenny Kent – 2022.

A powerful theme of 'hope' is threaded throughout this artwork, created by Quandamooka, Jinibara, and Warraburra woman Jenny Kent. Having worked at Brisbane Catholic Education's Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre, Jenny consulted across all levels of the organisation to discuss reconciliation. 

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Central to the artwork is a large cross, symbolic of the Risen Christ who watches over everything, surrounding the cross are four boomerangs representative of acceptance, resilience, humility, and kindness. The sky surrounding is filled with 146 stars, representative of each school in Brisbane Catholic Education, and a rainbow representing a peace covering from above. 

The band of six meeting places above the horizon represents the six offices, under this the sky contains a representation of First Nations Elders with a broken spear signifying benevolence, the Brisbane Catholic Education organisational structure, the Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre and its staff, prayer groups and a learning growth vine representing the year levels that attend schools from Prep through to Year 12.

The lower half of the artwork from top to bottom represents the Brisbane Catholic Education schools' catchment areas. The Green Hills spanned the horizon when the land was formed, which made the rivers flow out to the sea. In the ocean area, you can see reflected the moon, cycles of the tide, waters, waves, salt, mullet, wind, and the native humpback whale that travels through the bays around our Brisbane Catholic Education catchment. 

Sand is then the start of the earth returned which is formed by the sea. You can see the tracks of kangaroos, goannas, possums, emus and people with rocks and campsites. From the earth grows the forest which is represented in the bottom green area. There are native plants from the area including pig face, quandongs, bull rush, bungwall fern, grass tree, bunya, grevillea, water lily, sandpaper fig, native raspberry and eucalyptus.

 


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​Artwork by Jenny Kent

​Artist and Story Teller – ​Jenny Kent

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If you wish to use this artwork please ensure you contact the Organisational Development team orgdev@bne.catholic.edu.auto ensure the artist is consulted, the artwork story is presented and it is used respectfully.
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