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 and 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. The report was released in May 2024.
Resources
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
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
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
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
Launch of the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Divinity
Indigenous Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic
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)
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’)
Indigenous spirituality in a multicultural society (Naomi Wolfe on ABC’s ‘God Forbid’)
Naomi Wolfe contributed 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’)
Grounded Spirituality (Garry Deverell on ABC Radio National’s ‘Soul Search’).
This episode originally aired on Sunday, 20 September 2020. It was part of The Bigger Picture, a Soul Search series where Meredith Lake pans out for a wider view of how religion and spirituality affect our inner and outer worlds, featuring distinguished guests with big ideas.
What are the possibilities for a grounded spirituality, in the aftermath of colonisation? Indigenous theologian Garry Deverell has lived the search for a spirituality that connects land and body.
Garry joined Meredith Lake to discuss what some of the implications might be, even for non-Indigenous Australians.
And, we hear his reflections on the role of ritual, the possibility of reconciliation – and, his approach to decolonising theology.
Gondwana Theology (Garry Deverell on Love, Rinse, Repeat)
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’)
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’)
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.