FIRE CARRIER
Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education
FIRE Carrier
The FIRE Carrier Project is an initiative of the
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and the Opening the
Doors Foundation to promote Reconciliation in
Victorian Schools.
The Aboriginal
Catholic Ministry Vision
To be perceived as an Aboriginal
Community recognised for its
commitment to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait peoples having their rightful
place in the Church and the wider
Community.
Inspired by the Gospel, we are
committed to the dignity of each
person to open hospitality, to truthtelling about dispossession and to be
a place of connection.
We work for Reconciliation, in
partnership with those who believe
that there can be an alternative to the
present order.
The Opening the
Doors Foundation
Addressing the severe educational
disadvantage still being experienced by
many Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander families, by providing
assistance so that they are able to
choose and successfully maintain a
positive educational environment for
their children.
To empower and support Aboriginal
families to make choices in educational
opportunities for their children;
Help open the doors of independent
educational institutions in Victoria; and
Be a model of self empowerment and
determination by responding directly to
needs of its own community.
Fire is at the Heart
of Aboriginal Culture
It represents the spiritual connection between
individuals to Mother Earth and Ancestors;
It is around fire that Dreamtime stories are told and
laws taught;
It is used for smoking the people and the land
when gathered for important ceremonies;
And so it is fire that represents the learning,
teaching and your schools journey towards
Reconciliation.
The 3 Core Values
Spirituality
Cultural Recognition &
Awareness
Practical Reconciliation
& Justice
Spirituality
Learning Aboriginal spirituality and
how it aligns with Catholic identity;
Being familiar with and using
materials in liturgy, learn and
understand rituals and meanings,
engage in cultural emersion;
Teach and learn the true Aboriginal
story and incorporate Aboriginal
perspectives in curriculum;
Use the message stick during
reading of the Word and school
masses, use the fire liturgy, paraliturgy, Acknowledgement of
Country, create an Australian identity
during the time of advent.
Cultural Recognition &
Awareness
Recognising cultural perspectives
and demonstrating awareness
through things such as;
Flying the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander flags;
Equipping Libraries with an
Aboriginal section available to all
students;
Making strong relationships with local
Elders and inviting local Elders to
Welcome visitors to Country at
significant events;
Supporting ACM initiatives.
Practical Reconciliation
& Justice
Realising Practical Reconciliation &
Justice through various opportunities
such as;
Ensuring your school is involved in
activities within the Aboriginal
community;
Participating in Reconciliation week
activities;
Partnering OTDF through
fundraising;
Building right relationships with
Aboriginal people through celebration
days, hosting traveling exhibitions,
being socially just & aware.
Becoming a
FIRE Carrier
A student is elected annually in the
same way as other school
representatives;
If your school has a social justice
group or Reconciliation committee they
can collectively become FIRE Carriers;
A member of the ACM will invite the
FIRE Carrier to undertake the duty at
the inaugural school assembly & the
FIRE Carrier will be presented with the
flame;
The FIRE Carrier will represent
students on the schools journey to
Reconciliation and educate the school
community about the local Aboriginal
story.
Walk the Journey,
Carry the Fire
Let the knowledge of Aboriginal
culture and history ignite the
Reconciliation fire inside you.
Carry the burning coals of
Reconciliation and educate your
community.
Use your hands, feet and heart to
travel the journey and carry the fire.
Sign your school up to become a
FIRE Carrier today, complete an
Expression of Interest Form and
return to Felicity at Opening the
Doors Foundation or contact the
Foundation on 9443 9070.
FIRE CARRIER
Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education