The School of Indigenous Studies was an initiative of the University of Divinity which operated from December 2021 until July 2024. It built upon work that had been undertaken by Reverend Dr Garry Deverell and Ms Naomi Wolfe to develop cultural awareness training and to support the University and its Colleges in engagement with Indigenous communities and the development and delivery of Indigenous academic content.
Under the leadership of Professor Dr Anne Pattel-Gray, the School engaged in many significant activities. Highlights included the Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice conference in 2024 and the establishment of a National Indigenous Ecumenical Network. Important academic achievements included the development of tertiary units in Indigenous theologies and the publications of several monographs. A list of achievements can be viewed on Vox.
Despite the collective best efforts of all those involved over the past few years, the substantial investment that has been made and the generous philanthropic support received, it became evident the model used to operate the School of Indigenous Studies was not financially sustainable in the current Higher Education environment. Therefore, the University Council made the difficult decision to disestablish the School of Indigenous Studies in July 2024. The Council affirms its commitment to the University’s strategic goal in Indigenous theologies to ensure sustainable initiatives are put in place that will build upon the significant work already achieved.
SIS Conference Report
A report on the ‘Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution’ conference which was held from 5-8 February 2024
National Indigenous Ecumenical Network
The Indigenous Ecumenical Network fosters unity and agency within the Indigenous Church, mobilising leaders to confront historical injustices and influence theological education through collective action.
National Indigenous Ecumenical Network Report
Read the National Indigenous Ecumenical Network Report, released May 2024.
What is it?
The Indigenous Ecumenical Network emerges as a pivotal platform, striving to empower the Indigenous Church to shape its trajectory with a unified voice across the realms of church, society, and politics. With a vision set on fostering unity and agency within the Indigenous Church, the network’s mission is to mobilise Indigenous Church leaders to confront historical injustices and influence theological education through collective action. At its core, the purpose of the Indigenous Ecumenical Network is to equip and enable the Indigenous Church to champion justice, reconciliation, and ecological well-being through profound engagement and theological enlightenment.
With a strategic focus, the network aims to advocate for justice, promote ecological harmony, influence theological discourse, empower Indigenous Church leaders for pivotal roles, and establish accessible pathways for Indigenous peoples to engage in theological education.
Who we are
The Indigenous Ecumenical Network is comprised of Indigenous Church leaders from various affiliations and backgrounds, united in their commitment to advocate for justice, reconciliation, and ecological harmony. Governed by a set of terms of reference with membership appointed in collaboration with Church denominations, ensuring gender balance to respect cultural protocols. Meetings, held both in person and online, provide spaces for deliberation, strategizing, and collaboration among network members, reinforcing its commitment to collective advancement and empowerment within the Indigenous Church.
List of members (as at June 2024)
| Names | Church Affiliation |
| Shirli Congoo | Salvation Army – General Manager Territorial Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Team (SATATSIT) |
| Rev Canon Dr Garry Deverell | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) |
| Dr Josephine Bourne | Torres Strait Islander representative -Anglican |
| Nathan Tyson | Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) |
| Professor Dr Anne Pattel-Gray | Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) |
| Rev Canon A/Prof Glenn Loughrey | Chair – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) |
| Rev Mark Kickett | Chair – Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) |
| Ravina Waldren | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) |
| Dawn Gilchrist | Church of Christ |
| Pastor Brad Henaway | Uniting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) |
| Dean Chisholm | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) and the Academic Dean of Nungalinya College |
| Elverina Johnson | Anglican Church |
| Marlon Riley | National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) |
| Pastor Don Haywood | Baptist Church |
| Rev Dr Rex Rigby | Wesleyan Methodist Church |
| Nomination TBA | Lutheran Church of Australia |
Vision
To provide a platform for the Indigenous Church to develop, define and lead our destiny with a unified voice across church, society, and politics.
Mission
Through presenting a united voice, Indigenous Church leaders will call for action to address historical injustices and shape theological education.
Purpose
The Indigenous Ecumenical Network equips and empowers the Indigenous Church to pursue justice, reconciliation and ecological well-being through deep listening and theological education.
Objectives
- Advocate for justice and reconciliation.
- Promote ecological well-being.
- Influence theological education.
- Equip Indigenous Church leaders for leadership roles.
- Develop learning pathways for Indigenous peoples to access theological education.
Media
Funded by
Hanna’s Project
Resources
This page is an archive repository of papers and talks that were offered as part of School of Indigenous Studies courses or offerings between 2021 and 2024. It also includes links to radio programs or podcasts in which School of Indigenous Studies people participated.
Understanding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
Learn about the issued behind the Voice Referendum with Rev Dr Garry Deverell. This event was held on Wednesday 29 March, hosted by St Mark’s Anglican Church, Spotswood VIC.
Meet the First Peoples of Gondwana
Uniting Church Conference session with Dr Garry Deverell.
Meet The First Peoples Of Gondwana from Uniting Church VIC/TAS on Vimeo.
Christ as Country: liturgical implications of an Indigenous Christology
March 2022 Chapter meeting of the Australian Academy of Liturgy, with guest speaker Garry Deverell.
Launch of the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Divinity
Indigenous Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic
A panel convened by Garry Deverell in conversation with Naomi Wolfe, Mark Yettica-Paulson, Uncle Glenn Loughrey, and Victor Joseph.
Indigenous Theology and Decolonising Theological Education (Naomi Wolfe on Love, Rinse, Repeat)
Naomi Wolfe contributes to a conversation about decolonising theological institutions in the ‘Black Lives Matter’ panel series along with Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi, Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, Emma Jackson and Liam Miller.
Indigenous spirituality in a multicultural society (Naomi Wolfe on ABC’s ‘God Forbid’)
Naomi Wolfe contributes to a panel convened by James Carleton about healing country, campus and church on ABC Radio National’s ‘God Forbid’.
Grounded Spirituality (Garry Deverell on ABC Radio National’s ‘Soul Search’)
Garry Deverell speaks with Meredith Lake about ‘grounded spirituality’ on ABC Radio National’s ‘Soul Search’
Gondwana Theology (Garry Deverell on Love, Rinse, Repeat)
Garry Deverell speaks with Liam Millar about his book Gondwana Theology on Liam’s podcast ‘Love, Rinse, Repeat’.
Conversation with Garry about his life and theology (Garry Deverell on ‘Saturday Night Alive’)
Garry Deverell speaks with Martin Levine about his life and theology for ‘Saturday Night Alive’ held at Beecroft-Pennant Hills Uniting Church
Decolonisation and the Preamble to the UCA Constitution (Garry Deverell on ‘Love, Rinse, Repeat’)
Garry Deverell contributes to a conversation about the Preamble to the Constitution of the Uniting Church in the ‘Black Lives Matter’ panel series along with Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi, Chris Budden, Liam Miller, and Katalina Tahaafe-Williams.