Smoking Ceremony
On the morning of Friday the 1st of March we welcomed Wurundjeri Man Colin Hunter Jnr to our school. He came to help us connect our St. Anthony’s community to the Wurundjeri country and we hope that this special ceremony keeps everyone on this land and within the Kulin Nation safe.
We are honoured to recognise our connection to Wurundjeri Country, history, and culture, and strive to ensure that we operate in a manner that respects and honours the Indigenous Ancestors of these lands.
The FIRE Carrier Project which is an initiative of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, and the Opening the Doors Foundation, promotes reconciliation in Victorian Schools, using the power of fire as a symbol of new beginnings, of trust and understanding. The symbol of fire is a powerful emblem in any religion or culture, the element of fire is used mainly to symbolise cleansing and renewal.
Fire is at the heart of Aboriginal culture, it represents the spiritual connection between individuals and Mother Earth and their Ancestors. It is around fire that Dreamtime stories are told and laws taught. Fire is used for smoking the people and the land when gathered for important ceremonies. We can strive to remember that Using God’s hands, feet and heart helps us to travel the journey and carry the fire. And so it is fire that represents the learning, teaching and a school community’s journey towards reconciliation.
