Caritas Australia is proud to partner with six First Australian-led organisations, all of which contribute to the spiritual and cultural healing and safety of their communities.
We do so as part of our commitment to Reconciliation, and in alignment with our belief in subsidiarity. This belief, grounded in Catholic Social Teachings, tells us that the people best placed to make decisions are those who will be most affected by them.
Reconciliation Week 2025 has the theme of "Bridging Now to Next", which encourages our nation to look ahead while drawing lessons from the past to continue building a more united and respectful nation.
Australia has a history of making decisions for First Australian communities, rather than upholding their rights to decide for themselves. This history has deep and long-lasting effects on First Australians, as well as Australia as a whole. There are stark inequalities between the general population and those identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
When we look ahead, what we know from our partners is that support for First Australian-led approaches grounded in cultural and spiritual safety must be the priority.
This Reconciliation Week, we want to thank our First Australian Partners for allowing us to walk humbly beside them, for sharing their lived experiences with us, and for their continued dedication to building a more united Australia.
Resources you can access to support our First Australian Partners
Aboriginal Carbon Foundation
The Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) supports carbon farming projects to practice traditional knowledge and land management that also help Indigenous communities to generate an income. It aims to build holistic wealth for Traditional Owners and non-Aboriginal carbon farmers, through the ethical trade of carbon credits, by connecting communities which supply carbon credits with organisations seeking to offset their carbon pollution.
You can join their webinar ‘Practical Reconciliation through Climate Action with AbCF’ on Tuesday 27th May at 1.15pm by registering online.
You can also follow AbCF on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date with their events and activities.
A carbon farmer in action. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation was founded by five Elders from Western Sydney - home to one of the largest urban First Australian populations in Australia. It provides a welcoming environment for First Australian families and individuals to help them heal from the past and nurture their sense of confidence and pride in the future.
The work of Baabayn involves initiatives such as a Homework Club, a Young Mums and Bubs program and a youth group. They also provide advocacy, counselling services and links to government departments.
They have two upcoming books to stay tuned for, ‘Why our Children are Proud to be Aboriginal’ (written by the Baabayan Mums and Bubs Group), and ‘Fences and Walls’.
You can subscribe to the Baabayn newsletter by visiting the website, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Community members at Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
Djilpin Arts
Djilpin Arts is an art centre and social enterprise, designed and led by First Australians in a remote community in the Northern Territory. Established in 2002 by the celebrated actor, musician and beloved community member, the late Balang T. E. Lewis, the centre provides employment, training, income, cultural healing, and intergenerational connection for First Australians.
You can keep up to date with events and resources from Djilpin Arts by signing up to their newsletter via their website, or by following them on Facebook or Instagram.
Janice leads students on a tour of the Djilpin Arts centre. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
Grassroots Action Palmerston
Grassroots Action Palmerston (GAP), through its Grassroots Youth Engagement project (GYE), offers new opportunities to disengaged young Aboriginal people - aged from roughly 12 to 25 - by working collaboratively with local community members, businesses, and government to create positive outcomes in key areas that young people have identified as important to them. The program also delivers justice by empowering young people to reclaim the dignity the legal system has often taken from them. Â
This year a youth group from Grassroots Action Palmerston is working with a Stolen Generation Elders group, as well as Mulligas and Cudjeries Social Club, on a very special launch we are hoping to share information on later this week.
Antonio and Israel participate in spear throwing as part of a Grassroots Youth Engagement cultural activity. Photo credit: Tara Harvey for Caritas Australia.
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) supports Aboriginal men who were survivors of the Kinchela Boys Home. They help survivors locate descendants and family, connect them with government services, offer counselling services and support with those seeking to utilise the National Redress Scheme, as well as providing education programs on the Stolen Generations for schools and organisations.
Last year the organisation launched a new Walking Together Program at the Sydney Opera House. This year KBHAC’s Reconciliation Week activities are impacted by the flooding in NSW, with a planned Sorry Day event in Kempsey now being rescheduled.
You can keep up to date with events and resources from KBHAC by signing up to their newsletter via their website, or by following them on Facebook or Instagram.
Caritas Australia Associate Director Christine Rhazi with KBHAC chairperson Uncle Michael. Photo: Jess Stone/Caritas Australia
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics.
With over 130,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics in Australia, this community represents the youngest and fastest growing Catholic demographic. Caritas Australia partners with NATSICC on the ongoing ‘One Journey, Together’ initiative.
NATSICC has a wealth of liturgy resources available to support Catholic schools, parishes, and communities through the year.
NATSICC creating illustrated cross. Photo credit: Tony Robertson.
