Time for reflection
Over the past few years, members of the ACEL Qld Branch Executive have volunteered to write a personal reflection piece for our State members. This term, we thank Dr Bruce Addison for sharing his thoughts with us.
I have been in the teaching profession for thirty-three years. More of my career is behind me than is in front of me. Recognising this is precious, as it evokes much deep reflection.
In the first ten years of my career, I taught some significant events, issues and ideas in History and Legal Studies classes, including the principle of Terra Nullius, the 1967 referendum, both the Mabo and Wik decisions of the High Court, the Stolen Generations as well as the Apology. If I were in these classrooms today, the Voice to Parliament would no doubt feature. Along the way I have read every published work by Professor Henry Reynolds whose work did much to improve an understanding of the injustice experienced by our First Nations people.
Journalist Stan Grant has had a national profile for many years. During the period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II he chose to speak out about a number of issues relating to the role of the Crown in the treatment of our First Nations people. Any thinking person could not argue with this. It is a not a ‘black arm band’ view of history, it is the historical record. I did not have an issue with his thinking but had issue with his timing. Not everyone would agree with me. Grant was a speaker at last year’s ACEL National Conference. From his very first word, those listening were on an intimate journey. It was his birthday and the narrative he wove was mesmerising. Grant’s life story of disadvantage, love of family and love of heritage was as moving as it was revelatory. Any reservation I had for Grant’s thinking dissipated. Something profound shifted in me, perhaps akin to a spiritual awakening.
In covering the Coronation of King Charles III, the ABC chose to include editorial commentary on the role of the Crown and the issue of an Australian Republic. Stan Grant was a guest. He aired his well-known views in his typically articulate and passionate fashion, resulting in much debate. Grant became the subject of disgusting trolling and online abuse and choosing to take leave from the media, gave an extraordinary final appearance on Q and A. There were at least two memorable moments in this farewell address. The first was his courage when staring down faceless bullies. The other was his evoking of the beautiful richness of his First Nation spirituality. The latter again triggered something quite profound in me.
Let’s go back to the beginning of this short piece. As I recounted, I had taught and read much about the significant events in the journey of our First Nations people. Recollecting this I cannot recall the richness of First Nation spirituality permeating these debates. I certainly cannot recall the use of First Nation languages. In the work of liberal American theologians such as Matthew Fox and Richard Rohr I have experienced American First Nations spirituality. Why might we ask has this been significantly missing in the Australian journey? Grant would probably argue that nowhere in the world has been as successful as Australia in eradicating First Nation voice. This is true and it is tragic.
In his Q and A speech, Stan Grant spoke of the Wiradjuri word ‘Yindyamarra’ meaning ‘that I am not just responsible for what I do, but for what you do’. He went on to note:
Yindyamarra is sacred. It is what it means to be Wiradjuri. It is at the core of my being. It is respect. Respect that comes from the earth we are born into. From God. If I break this, I lose who I am.
It is as beautiful concept as it is difficult. It seems to be saying if you are angry at me then we both must share some responsibility. How inclusive and loving. It struck a deep chord within me. When listening to this I was feeling Grant’s pain. There was a deeper pain in having missed out on this deep wellspring of spirituality during my life. In all of the topics I mentioned at the start of this piece, the journey would have been richer for my students if only I had known. Sadly, we have not been attuned to our First Nations spirituality. Somehow things might have been different had it been more universally known, communicated, understood and loved.
Professor Ann McIntyre, the 2022 ACEL Gold Medal recipient used a beautiful Wiradjuri phrase in her address:
Yiny-a-marra win-ang-han-ha
She observed that these words:
speak of a way of living gently, with kindness and with respect for each other, and for our land. And they also speak of a way of living with purpose and walking together to create a world worth living in’ (pg. 25).
How deeply moving - calling for a deep respect of each other but also the careful stewardship of our earthly home.
Reflecting on a career in schools that started in 1990, has been a very rich experience. History is difficult because it asks us to interpret the past through contemporary lenses. This is the rigour of historiography. Interpretation does not mean automatic judgement, nor should it mean ‘cancel’. The latter is abhorrent. What I hope for is that in thirty years’ time a teacher reflecting on the vast majority of their career will not be able to share such an ignorance of First Nations culture.
Thank you, ACEL Q, for giving the opportunity to this teacher to reflect on these profound issues.
Dr Bruce Addison
ACELQ Executive member and Deputy Principal (Academic) Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Source
McIntyre, A, (2023). ACEL Gold Medal Address, Australian Educational Leader, 45:1, pp 24-15.