1 - Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
As we embark on the Sisters of Mercy Heritage Trail, we acknowledge the Darug people, the Traditional Custodians of this land, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Recognising their continuing connection to country is an important step in understanding the rich history of Parramatta that precedes European settlement.
We respectfully remember
the Burramattagal of the Darug nation,
the traditional custodians of this land.
In honouring the memory of the Burramattagal,
we acknowledge with sorrow
the immeasurable suffering
caused to them and to all Aboriginal Australians
by European colonisation.
We recognise with shame
that such suffering endures to the present generation.
Today,
standing in solidarity with the First Nations,
we embrace the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We pray that God’s Spirit of Mercy and Truth,
of Justice and Reconciliation
will prevail in all our lives
and in the heart of our nation.
Image: The Gathering by Aunty Edna Watson
Image: Aerial view of Danny Eastwood’s ground painting, The Journey
In recognition of the enduring stewardship of this land by First Nations people and their interaction with the pioneer religious women who ministered here, the Sisters of Mercy commissioned this ground painting, the Journey, by Indigenous artist, Danny Eastwood.
To read Danny’s explanation of his painting, visit our Resource Library.