National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
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
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
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
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
St Matthew's Primary, Page
St Christopher's Pastoral Centre
Calvary John James Hospital, Deakin
Corpus Christi Parish, Tuggeranong | Another photo
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
