Archived News Item
Social Justice Commissioner responds to sisters’ Indigenous statement
February 15, 2007In November last year, the
In his letter, Mr Calma says, “thank you for the very important media statement that you released on 29 November 2006 with Sister Katrina Brill from the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart pledging support for Indigenous Australians on the 20th anniversary of the Pope’s
“The address delivered by Pope John Paul II twenty years ago acknowledges not only the connection between Indigenous Australians and their land, but also the effects of dispossession. As you rightly pointed out in the press release, this message still resonates strongly with the position of Indigenous Australians in this country today”, said Mr Calma.
Read the full text of Mr Calma’s letter.
Read the Mercy-Josephite statement.
Background to the Joint Public Statement
Released on November 29, 2006, this statement was the result of a co-ordinated plan by numerous people after Sister Laraine Crowe RSJ and Mercy Sisters met to discuss their concerns about Indigenous issues while they were at the 2006 “Dreaming of the Heart” gathering in Alice Springs (October 2006).
Laraine Crowe RSJ, Karon Donnellon RSM and Celestine Pooley RSM continued this discussion, especially in relation to the Northern Territory Land Rights Legislation. The sisters involved in the Institute Justice Network contacted the community at
The Sisters of St Joseph completed similar work and primarily wrote the draft statement. Together, we refined the document and after a number of adjustments, the Leadership Teams of the Josephite Sisters and the Mercy Sisters approved the statement.
The Josephite Sisters sought advice from media personnel, from senior Indigenous advisers and finally released the statement via their media contacts.
It was great to collaborate with the Josephite Sisters and having established a good working relationship in the area of Indigenous issues, we look forward to working together in the future. We are grateful to all who were involved for their generous commitment of expertise, time and passion.
Reflecting on the Statement
What is your response to our statement?
Have you taken any action in response to the statement or the issue?
Please forward your comments via email to
From: Specific Issues Committee, Indigenous Concerns (Sisters Rose Glennen and Liz Rothe)
Contact: