Serpent for peace
May 27, 2010
A large Rainbow Serpent was drawn on the ground and filled with messages of hope at St Joseph’s Nudgee College yesterday to commemorate National Sorry Day.
Indigenous Liaison Officer Ms Yvonne O’Neill and a number of Senior students drew the large Rainbow Serpent in Edmund Rice Mall.
Students and staff were then invited to sign their name, draw a symbol or write a brief message in a simple action of advocacy for peace and reconciliation.
“Solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of the world is a specific resolution of the 2008 Munnar Chapter directions of the Christian Brothers,” Dean of Identity Mr Chris Ryan said.
“In our country, this obviously relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a commitment to reconciliation and the closing of the health and education gap.
“The Rainbow Serpent is a key figure in the Dreaming teaching of most mainland aboriginal peoples in Australia. It is the central creation figure of the people and the land and is a most sacred symbol and story. It is possibly the oldest continuous religious symbol in human history,” he said.
Nudgee College has an extensive Indigenous program with almost sixty students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent attending Nudgee College in 2010.
The College recently kicked off the winter sports season with a celebration of the Indigenous program at both Nudgee College and Round 1 competitor Ipswich Grammar School, who also have a large contingent of Indigenous students at their school.
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