CASTRO1991

Title: A message stick sent by Emilio Castro at the World Council of Churches Seventh Assembly, Canberra 1991

Description: Reported in: Anonymous. 1990. "A moment of suspense at WCC opening." Journey: Uniting Church magazine December:15. "There'll be a moment of suspense for World Council of Churches representatives who approach the worhip tent where the WCA assembly begins in February: wil they be allowed in? The answer to that question will be made from the front stage of the tent, where, already seated, Aboriginal elders and clergy will consider the request, carried to them on a message stick. Should it seem like a fair thing, an elder will beckon to the waiting WC procession, who may then enter. In this act, as throughout the 15-day gathering, ti will be abundantly clear to all who participate that they are on Aboriginal land. Caretakers and custodians, it is the aboriginal people who will finlly permit the event, and purify it according to custom. All who enter for the opening worship will pass through a shroud of smoke — believed to clease the mind, body and spirit. " The Uniting Church of Australia. 1991. "Aboriginal issues centre stage." Working together nationally:11. "Aboriginal Issues Centre Stage. From the start it was clear the WCC Assembly would give Aboriginal issues a high profile. The official opening saw an Aboriginal ceremony of welcome which involved walking through the smoke of cleansing fire and the sending of a 'message stick’ by WCC General Secretary Emilio Castro - symbolising a request for permission to enter the land." Anonymous. 1991. "WCC ‘cleansed’ at opening service." Journey: Uniting Church magazine March.11 "An Aboriginal ceremony of welcome involved walking through the smoke of cleansing fire and the sending of a 'message stick' by WCC General Secretary Emilio Castro, symbolising a request for permission to enter the land. Gathered on the stage were aboriginal elders who ritually granted permission, and the WCC leaders entered the tent." 11

Item type: positive text reference

Subtype: political

Linguistic area 1: Chirila: Ngunawal Austlang: D3 - Ngunawal / Ngunnawal Glottolog: ngun1277

Coordinates: 35°16'51.200400"S,149°07'48.000000"E  (-35.280889, 149.13)

Notes on coordinates: Absolute coordinates for Canberra

Media Files:

Data Entry: Piers Kelly