NATSICC Acknowledgment Plaques

The first plaque endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for use in Catholic schools, parishes and organizations, the NATSICC Acknowledgment plaques are a bold statement of support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

 

Displaying the plaque proudly in a prominent position in your Parish, School or Organisation is a physical sign of welcome and understanding for all Australians. It also provides the opportunity to educate the wider community of the need for continual progress on the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.

 

By purchasing and displaying our acknowledgment plaque you are sharing the vision of The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council - that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be included in the prayers and thoughts of all Australian Catholics. Those displaying the plaques (or any other Acknowledgment Plaque) will be listed as a Partner in Faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Why is acknowledgment important?

The practice of inclusion forms an important part of rebuilding the relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non Indigenous Australians. The erection of a plaque or sign at the Church is a symbol of welcome for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and an acknowledgment that there is an understanding of Australia’s past.

 

An Acknowledgment of Traditional Custodians must be seen in the context in which ‘Country’ is understood by Australia’s first people. Professor Mick Dodson explains this relationship -

 

“For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains.”

 

What is the meaning behind the artwork on the plaque?

The main logo on the plaque was designed by the Murri Ministry (Brisbane, Queensland) to depict black and white coming together and growing in faith and respect for one another. Aboriginal artwork has, for thousands of years, used symbolism to display deep and complex concepts that are interpreted through the lens of  culture and spirituality learned from Elders. The plaque artwork uses colour as a simplified point of difference to symbolise all of the diversity and gifts of humankind

 

Can the plaques be displayed outside?

Yes. The plaques are printed on an aluminum substrate and feature a clear coat similar to that used on cars - protecting it from the elements.

 

Can we add our own logo?

Again, yes. For orders of 10 or more, NATSICC can add your own organisation's logo to the plaque. The customisation is available via negotiation and may incur an additional cost.

 

Are there any suggestions on a ceremony or unveiling of the plaque?

The whole premise of the plaques is to make the Catholic Church a welcoming place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With this in mind, consider using the unveiling as an opportunity to invite, meet and form a relationship with your local Traditional Custodians. Given the differences between language groups nationally, it is always best practice to involve your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the planning of the ceremony. Local contacts can be found at Your State and Territory.

 

Other Suggestions for the unveiling:

  • Each plaque will be accompanied by a letter from NATSICC that outlines the importance of Acknowledgment. Excerpts from this letter could be read out.
  • The Guide to Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country Ceremonies has been produced by NATSICC and the Bishops Conference to assist parishes, schools and organisations to plan appropriate and thoughtful events.
  • The 2018 NATSICC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Resource kit is a great resource for holding masses and celebrations in congregations with and without Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • The videos below could be shown. They, along with others at NATSICC TV, give an insight into the role of NATSICC in the Church and the role that faith plays in Traditional Culture.

Purchase Acknowledgment Plaques

Frequently Asked Questions

Partners in Faith

Partners in Faith

All Parishes, Schools and Organisations that display this plaque, or any other form of Acknowledgment will be become a Partner in Faith with NATSICC and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. Below is the list of our Partners in Faith. Click on the Parish / School name for an image of their plaque on display.

South Australia

Adelaide ACM - Stepney

St Josephs School, Peterborough

Gleeson College

Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, Murray Bridge
St Joseph's Parish, Magill

St. Joseph's Primary School, Payneham

 

Victoria

ACM Melbourne, Thornbury

St John of God Berwick Hospital, Berwick

St Kevin's Primary School, Templestowe Lower

Catholic Education Melbourne - Southern Region

Avila College, Mt Waverley

Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership Wangaratta

Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Manor Lakes

Redemptorist Community, Kew

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mildura

ST MARTIN DE PORRES Catholic Parish, Avondale Heights

Brigidine Ministry Centre, ALBERT PARK

Jesuit Social Services, Richmond

Marist-Sion College, Warragul

St Mary's Catholic Church, Cohuna

Kildara Centre, Malvern

St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne

St Simon the Apostle Parish, Rowville

Parade College, Bundoora

St Macartan's Catholic Parish, Mornington

St Joseph's Parish, Warrnambool

Tarrawarra Abbey, Tarrawarra

St. Mary's Primary School, Donald

CatholicCare Sandhurst Bendigo

Catholic Development Fund,  East Melbourne

St Martin of Tours Parish, Rosanna

St John's Catholic Parish, Heidelberg

St Josephs College, ECHUCA

Holy Spirit Parish, Ringwood North

St Mary's Parish, Dandenong

St Francis of the Fields  Strathfieldsaye

St Therese's School, Kennington

Elwood St Kilda West Parish, Elwood

Our Lady of the Pines Church, Donvale

Marist College Bendigo, Maiden Gully

St Monica's Parish, Moonee Ponds

 Resurrection Catholic Church, Kings Park

Catholic Homes Thomas Close, Fitzroy North

Nazareth Parish, Torquay

St Joseph's Primary School, Numurkah

St Kevin's Church, Templestowe Lower

St Anne's College, Shepparton
St Mel's Primary School, Shepparton

Sacred Heart Primary School, Diamond Creek

St Joseph's Parish, Melbourne

St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy

St Benedict's Catholic Church Burwood

St James the Apostle Parish, Hoppers Crossing

Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Clifton Hill

St John's PS, Heidelberg

Holy Trinity Parish, Bentleigh East

St. Louis' Catholic Church, Aspendale

Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation, East Melbourne

St Gregory the Great Parish, Doncaster

Mary Help of Christians Parish, Altona

St Mary's Parish, Ascot Vale

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Cheltenham

St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Parish, Blackburn South

Southern Regional Office - Catholic Education Melbourne, Morrabin

Catholic Education Schools in the Diocese of Sale, Sale

All Saints Catholic Church, Fitzroy

St John of God Hospital, Berwick

Dromana (Installation Collage)

 

New South Wales

Reconciliation Church - La Perouse

Mt St. Patrick's, Murwillumbah

St Mary MacKillop Parish, Oran Park

Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Service, Leichhardt

St Joseph's Primary, Alstonville

Milton Parish

Society of the Sacred Heart, Mosman

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Alexandria

St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie

Mary Mackillop Place, North Sydney

Holy Cross Parish, Kincumber

Sacred Heart catholic School, Westmead

De La Salle Brothers, Sydney

NCEC, Sydney

St Patrick's Marist College, Dunda

St Matthew's Catholic School, Mudgee

Catholic Schools NSW Head Office

Sydney Catholic Education - East region *All Schhols in this region have plaques

Trinity Catholic College, Lismore

Catholic Commission for Employment relations, Sydney

St Columbus Parish, Leichhardt

Catholic Education Woolongong * All Schools in this Diocese display a Plaque

Catholic Care Woolongong

The Centre Education Programme, Mudgee

 

Northern Territory

Myall Coast Catholic Parish, Tea Gardens

 

Tasmania

St Josephs Parish, Yolla

Mt Carmel College, Sandy Bay

 

Western Australia

Orana Catholic PS, Willetton

Sacred Heart School, Thornlie

St Pius X Catholic School ,Manning

St Emilie's Catholic Primary School, CANNING VALE

ST FRANCIS XAVIER PS, GERALDTON

St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Murdoch

Catholic Education WA, West Leederville

St Mary's Cathedral, Perth

Catholic Education Office, Bunbury

Attadale Catholic Parish, Attadale

 

Queensland

Cannon Hill Parish

St Flannan's Catholic Parish

St Peter's Catholic Parish, Zillmere

St Peter's Catholic Parish

Corinda Graceville Catholic Parish

Mt St. Michaels, College, Ashgrove

Good Counsel Primary School, Innisfail

Christ the King, Mourilyan

St Rita's, South Johnstone

St Rita's, Babinda

Annandale Parish

Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia

The Centre Education Programme, Woodridge

Sts Peter and Paul, Balmoral

Burleigh Catholic Parish

Queen of Apostles School, Stafford

Caloundra Catholic Parish

Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, Stafford Catholic Parish   |   Smoking Ceremony at installation

 

The following locations were organised by the Rockhampton Catholic Education Office:

St Anne’s Catholic Primary School Sarina

St John’s Catholic Primary School Walkerston

St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School West Mackay

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School South Mackay

Mercy College Mackay

St Patrick’s College Mackay

Emmanuel Catholic Primary School Mount Pleasant Mackay

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School North Mackay

MacKillop Catholic Primary School Andergrove North Mackay

St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School Northern Beaches Mackay

Holy Spirit College Mount Pleasant Mackay

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School Longreach

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Blackall

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Barcaldine

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Clermont

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Springsure

St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School Emerald

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Emerald

Marist College Emerald

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Biloela

St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Monto

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Bundaberg

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School South Bundaberg

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School West Bundaberg

Shalom Catholic College Bundaberg

St Francis Catholic Primary School Tannum Sands

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone

St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Clinton Gladstone

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Yeppoon

St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Yeppoon

St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School North Rockhampton

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School North Rockhampton

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Park Avenue North Rockhampton

Emmaus College North Rockhampton

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Wandal Rockhampton

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School Allenstown Rockhampton

The Cathedral College Rockhampton

St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Gracemere

Catholic Education Office Rockhampton

Chanel College, Gladstone

 

 

 

Australian Capital Territory

CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn

St Joseph's O'Connor

Holy Spirit School, Nicholls

St Matthew's Primary, Page

St Christopher's Pastoral Centre

Calvary John James Hospital, Deakin

Corpus Christi Parish, Tuggeranong    |    Another photo

 

 

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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council

'The peak Indigenous advisory body to the Catholic Church'

80C Payneham Rd.

Stepney SA 5069

www.natsicc.org.au   |   craig@natsicc.org.au   | 08 8363 2963