Standing tall for a Treaty

By Marina Williams

As Victoria advances its historic Treaty process, four Uniting Church congregations are taking a firm stand for justice and reconciliation.

A Treaty aims to recognise First Nations rights, address past injustices, and create pathways for self-determination.

Victoria began Treaty negotiations in 2019, led by the First Peoples’ Assembly.

The commitment to a Treaty from Glen Waverley, Sophia’s Spring, St Michael’s, and Brunswick goes beyond statements of support, as they actively engage in education, advocacy, and relationship-building to walk alongside First Nations people in pursuit of justice.

For them, supporting a Treaty is not just a political stance but a moral and spiritual commitment to truth, healing, and self-determination for First Nations people.

At Glen Waverley Uniting Church, located on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung land, Church Council Chair Alison Clarkson says this belief has translated into years of engagement with First Nations issues, making their support for a Treaty a natural next step.

“We’ve had study groups, educational resources, and visits to local traditional sites,” Alison says.

“We feel it is essential to continue our journey after the Voice Referendum and not let that setback be the end of our efforts.”

The signing of a Treaty letter of support was initiated through the congregation’s Outreach and Social Justice Mission Group, with the Church Council unanimous in agreement.

“Support for a Treaty was a logical outcome of our growing awareness and understanding of the needs of indigenous people, especially after the failure of the Voice Referendum,” Alison says.

Their engagement has deepened through initiatives such as hosting guest speakers from First Nations communities and participating in forums led by indigenous leaders.

Additionally, they have expanded their work by developing educational resources that facilitate discussions about the need for systemic change.

While also deepening its advocacy through education and outreach, Sophia’s Spring approaches a Treaty through a different lens, and one that intertwines justice with environmental stewardship.

As an eco-feminist faith community on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung country, Sophia’s Spring sees First Nations justice as integral to its mission.

“First Nations communities lead by example in their care for the land,” says Susan Pyke, a long-time member.

“They teach us about custodianship in ways we are only beginning to understand.”

Following advice from elders, they embraced a Treaty post-referendum, prioritising listening before acting.

“We were hopeful that the referendum would give us as a nation a pathway to healing with First Nation Australians,” says church secretary Jan Garood.

‘It was devastating when this didn’t happen. We wanted a way to reach out to local elders, and supporting the Treaty process was a way to continue our commitment.”

In developing their Treaty document, the collective was sensitive to its wording to ensure they remained respectful, says Susan.

“We are conscious of making sure that it is safe for people who have First Nations ancestry, that our language is appropriate, that our spaces don’t create visual or communicative harm,” she says.

Commitments include using texts from First Nations authors when reading to younger members of the congregation, and joining the Walk of Lament in November last year.

In 2022 they honoured Black Deaths in Custody by sharing weekly stories of those who died, with Jan knitting more than 400 stick covers, each one representing a life lost.

Like Sophia’s Spring, St Michael’s Uniting Church is deeply committed to justice and reconciliation.

However, their approach is rooted in long-standing activism and public advocacy.

Rev Margaret Mayman affirms that supporting a Treaty aligns with the church’s long history of engaging in social justice movements.

“Our congregation was deeply engaged in the Yes campaign and, after the referendum, we felt we couldn’t stop there,” Margaret says.

“We know that lament is not enough, and we have to act.”

Church Council member Ann Kinnear echoes this sentiment, sharing how her experience campaigning for the Voice transformed her understanding of First Nations struggles.

Ann, initially hesitant about political activism, found herself deeply involved in the Yes campaign through leafleting, phone banking, and stepping out of her comfort zone to support First Nations justice.

“I didn’t want to wake up on October 15 regretting I hadn’t done all I could do to help,” she reflects.

To reinforce their commitment, St Michael’s has an annual First Nations justice forum, inviting speakers and activists to share their insights on Treaty and truth-telling processes.

The church also integrates indigenous theology into its services, ensuring that faith-based discussions include First Nations perspectives.

“These are our commitments and the challenge of living them out is ongoing, and we continue to seek ways to further those commitments,” Ann says.

As St Michael’s Uniting Church emphasises education and political advocacy, Brunswick Uniting Church is building on its long history of social activism.

Situated on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung land, the church has been deeply engaged in reconciliation efforts for years, making Treaty support a natural extension of its mission.

Shawn Whelan, a member of the church’s First Nations Focus team, highlights their long-term commitment to justice and advocacy.

“For decades, we’ve supported reconciliation initiatives,” Shawn says.

“The Treaty process is a logical next step in our journey, and it represents our dedication to truth-telling and justice.”

The church collaborates with Wurundjeri leaders to strengthen ties.

“We know this will take time, but we’re in it for the long haul,” Shawn adds.

“We hope our actions inspire other congregations to take meaningful steps as well.”

Brunswick Uniting Church also supports community-led initiatives such as language revival programs and cultural events.

These efforts help deepen their engagement and create stronger connections between congregation members and local First Nations communities.

Supporting a Treaty is not without challenges.

The congregations have encountered resistance within faith communities and broader societal struggles with misinformation.

Leaders have navigated difficult conversations to ensure members understand that a Treaty is not just symbolic but a concrete step toward justice.

Through this process, they have learned the value of patience, active listening, and relationship-building.

Engaging directly with First Nations elders and community leaders, they emphasise making Treaty discussions accessible to all, regardless of prior knowledge or engagement with First Nations issues.

“Now, more than ever, is the time for us all to embrace, and have pride in, our shared history, learn from it and make a better future for us all,” Ann says.

“The small start white Australians can make is to educate ourselves about our history, be unafraid to speak up and do whatever we can to seek justice for First Nations people.”

These congregations believe 2025 is crucial for First Nations justice.

As Treaty negotiations progress, they encourage non-indigenous allies to actively show support, and they recognise that walking together with First Nations people is not just a symbolic gesture but a necessary step toward healing and transformation.

Brunswick Uniting Church’s public statement reads, “The past cannot be changed, but we can choose to take steps today that will help heal the ongoing pain caused by the injustices of yesterday.”

St Michael’s echoes this in its pledge: “We believe a better tomorrow is possible and our congregation pledges our unwavering support to the First Peoples’ Treaty process in Victoria.”

For St Michael’s, walking together means acknowledging both the history of their location and their responsibility to educate their members.

The church sits on what was once a corroboree site for the Wurundjeri people, and they commit to heritage walks and educational events to deepen their understanding.

“We need to understand the layers of history beneath our feet,” Margaret says.

“Our land has a story, and it’s our duty to listen to it.”

The church is also exploring ways to work with First Nations leaders to incorporate indigenous knowledge into their services and educational programs.

“Honouring that legacy is part of our commitment to justice and reconciliation,” Margaret says.

Sophia’s Spring sees its Treaty support as part of its broader commitment to justice and environmental stewardship.

“As a congregation, we believe ‘Australia’, as a country, will be diminished if Second Peoples don’t walk together with First Nations peoples,” it affirms.

Glen Waverley Uniting Church also embraces education and awareness as key components of its commitment.

Through participation in local events and collaboration with the Monash Council’s Neighbourhoods and Place Making team, they foster ongoing engagement with First Nations issues.

“Engagement means showing up, listening, and supporting First Nations-led initiatives,” Alison says.

Synod stands strong on Treaty

The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has indicated strong support for a Treaty as part of its commitment towards walking together with First Nations people.

In fact, support for a Treaty is long-standing, extending as far back as 1987.

That year the (then) Synod of Victoria made resolutions supporting the design of “a treaty which recognises prior Aboriginal ownership of Australian land, and which will begin to address the continued dispossession and needs of Australian Aboriginal people”.

In 2019 the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania resolved to support the 2017 Statement from the Heart, which includes a call for a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations.

At its August 2024 meeting, the Synod Standing Committee adopted the Statement of Support for Treaty, pledging to “take steps today that will foster healing in the enduring pain caused by injustices”.

“As an organisation firmly committed to advancing social justice and equality, we want to play our part in righting the wrongs of the past and be part of collaborating towards a better future together.

“We believe a better tomorrow is possible.

“Consistent with the Church’s declared support for the principles in the Statement from the Heart, we commit our support to the First Peoples’ Treaty process in Victoria.

“In making this commitment, we affirm the right of self-determination for First Peoples in charting a path towards Treaty.

“The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Victorian Regional Council, are united in this support.

“Together, all Victorians can create a future where First Peoples’ voices are heard, rights are respected, and justice is realised for generations to come.”

In a pastoral letter following the Synod Standing Committee decision, Moderator Rev David Fotheringham said while the form of a Treaty, and any church involvement in it, was unknown at this stage, he hoped “that the process of Treaty-making will help to build community as it works to articulate our obligations to one another”.

“The Uniting Church in Australia is familiar with covenanting: not only through biblical stories of covenant, but importantly through the Covenant we have made with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

“This experience helps to inform our approach to supporting Treaty.”