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FamilyVoice National Secretary David d’Lima used the Australia Day weekend to promote conciliation between black and white when he addressed the indigenous Brethren church at Port Augusta on 27 January.
Highlighting the Christian crosses on Australia's national flag, David d’Lima encouraged the almost completely aboriginal congregation to recognise how the message of Christ came to Australia in 1788.
“Today most indigenous people identify as Christian,” he said.
“While much wrong-doing has occurred, it was God’s plan to bring the knowledge of Christ and connect everyone in the wider family of nations across the Pacific.”
He thanked the indigenous people for their patience as white Australians learn to honour aboriginal language and identity.
“I see on Google maps the Pitjantjatjara words ‘Kata Wami’ at Port Augusta and I believe that means ‘Head of the Snake’ - obviously Spencer Gulf.
“We’ve learned to call Ayers Rock ‘Uluru’ and the Olgas ‘Kata Tjuta’ (many heads) in recognition of the names used for generations untold by the Pitjantjatjara peoples.
“I’m hoping South Australia’s State Flower the Sturt Desert Pea will be renamed ‘malu kuru’ (kangaroo eye) using the Pitjantjatjara name,” he said.
“But today I noticed kangaroo burgers on a menu in the Wadlata café, identified by the word ‘malu’.
“While someone is trying earnestly to honour your culture, hardly anyone understands that word and indeed no tribal people would eat kangaroo - unless it was killed according to ceremonial law!
“You can see how hard is the clash of cultures - though some people are trying to make connection; above all there is unity through faith in Christ.”
David d’Lima ended his message by highlighting The Proclamation issued in 1836 by Governor John Hindmarsh.
“We have a public holiday to mark Proclamation Day - yet hardly anyone realises this founding document is explicitly Christian and mainly describes the requirement to reach out with the love of God to assist the aboriginal people,” he said.
David d’Lima reported afterwards the listeners thanked him profusely for his message as they eagerly took printed notes on Australia's national flag and details about The Proclamation.