We grieve for Wayne Fella Morrission. We grieve for Tane Chatfield. We grieve for every preventable death in custody.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the following article contains names of people who have died.
Today marks the 12 month anniversary of Wayne Fella Morrission, a 29 year old Aboriginal man (in prison for the first time) who died in custody in South Australia. #JusticeforFella
Today also marks just five days since the most recent Aboriginal Death in Custody, Tane Chatfield, a 22-year-old man in Tamworth of which there has been little to no national media coverage.
The 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody began looking at Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1980, the year I was born, and nearly 40 years later, our people are still dying in prison, being denied medical attention, being denied protection.
In the last 12 months the following Aboriginal Deaths in Custody have been reported:
There were – and are – many many more unreported.
Today Wayne’s family still don’t know what happened, the Coroner’s Report is still being finalised, and the Correctional Officers are still working at Yatala prison.
The 339 recommendations from the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody have still not all been implemented.
They need to be.
We grieve with the families, the Aboriginal community, and our nation.
Grieve with us.
And stand with us, this Friday, 29 September, for a National call to action:
Brooke Prentis is the Aboriginal spokesperson for Common Grace. She is a descendant of the Waka Waka people, an activist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, a Christian pastor, and an accountant.
We will be providing resources for National Reconciliation Week for individuals and churches to stand together to re-imagine our nation and continue to pray, act, and walk for Reconciliation (27 May - 3 June)
Read more
In 2000 Ben Johnson was a youth delegate representing the Salvation Army on a journey of Reconciliation from Canberra to Uluru.
David Cook was part of the organising committee for the Melbourne Walk for Reconciliation in the year 2000. His reflection is part of our Gallery of photos and stories of Christians who participated in Walks for Reconciliation.
Artist Safina Stewart has prepared a colouring in sheet for Sorry Day. Find it here.
Rachel reflects on the way Jesus met people and what that might have to say to us as we consider the 250 years since Captain Cook’s encounter with Aboriginal people.