In Semester 1, 2025 Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) offered its first Indigenous Studies unit led by Adnyamathanha Elder Reverend Dr Aunty Denise Champion (NAIDOC SA 2024 Scholar of the Year, and Theologian in Residence at UCLT), with Dr Rosemary Dewerse (Academic Dean at UCLT).
The unit began by exploring the very complex, contradictory and difficult story of Christian mission across Aboriginal lands, including for Aunty Denise’s people. It asked, ‘Who then is Jesus?’ in such spaces for First Nations peoples, listening for how different voices are responding. To explore how ‘ethical’ ministry could be newly defined and lived today, we particularly attended to the wisdom of Adnyamathanha. ‘Yarta Wandatha’ means ‘the Land is speaking, the people are speaking.’ We immersed ourselves in the grandeur of Ikara Flinders Ranges, travelling to Blinman and Wilpena Pound, listening to Muda and insights from Aunty Denise and from Kristian Coulthard, singing together in language, and pausing often to soak up the lessons Yarta/Country was offering us. We practised Yanakanai, coming together around the campfire, over meals, billy tea and damper to yarn, and Ngakarra Nguniankulu, deeply listening to and discerning Arrawatanha-God in their story speaking to God in our own.
Lessons emerging in reflection so far include the need to: unravel presumptions and assumptions to open ourselves to First Nations peoples’ wisdom, recognise that we are all born of Creator (‘one blood’ as per John Harris’ seminal book on mission history in Australia) but our differences bring a wealth of perspective and deeper richness to community, attend to the wisdom of creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ (as Aunty Denise says), accept as grateful guests the gracious hospitality of First Nations hosts, not be afraid of stepping out of comfort zones and of making a mistake but choose to practice respectful enquiry, and to commit to listening, learning and re-learning in humility and telling this story on.
Such lessons being gained from this journey with Adnyamathanha yarta and yura (country and people) we recognise teach us how to be honourably engaging with all peoples.
Coming up in Semester 2, students have the opportunity to travel on Yarluwe-Ruwe (Sea-Country) with Uncle Ken Sumner, a Kukabrak Ngarrindjeri korni (man) for the unit Kungan Kaldowinyeri: Listening to Creation.
These units are available to all students of the University. Places are limited. Contact UCLT for more information about the unit.
Banner image: Blinman. Photo by Photo by Simon Story.
All photos were provided by students and staff of the unit and are used with permission.
Dr Rosemary Dewerse is a practical theologian from Aotearoa New Zealand who is currently Academic Dean and Research Coordinator at the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) in Adelaide.
University of Divinity
Guest Author
Add comment