Foundations
Sisters of St John of God in the Kimberley Today
In their walking with people today, Sisters of St John of God draw on the accumulated knowledge of almost a century of experience of living and sharing with people in their traditional communities. they draw on the relationship built over generations of each family and shared among the members of the communities.
Long experience has shown the Sisters that the most effective tool of empowerment for Aboriginal people, as for any people, is education.
Our resources today are directed primarily towards education; in our contributions and involvement in the development of Broome Campus of the Catholic University of Notre Dame, the provision of culturally informed leadership and the provision of scholarships.
From the lived experience of walking with people of the Kimberley, Sisters well know the difficulties faced by Aboriginal families as they deal with the demands of modern town life. These insights have led to Sisters being involved in services that provide counselling and education for couples, families and young adults. This service also facilitates access to welfare and other services.
The ongoing needs of people with whom Sisters walked in the past as teachers, nurses and carers, have called Sisters to engage in pastoral visitation in the towns. They visit people in their own homes, hospitals, and prisons. Sisters of St John of God are considered to be part of "My People" by many Kimberley Aboriginals.
Sisters of St John of God continue to play an important and valued role in Aboriginal Kimberley life by walking with the people in their joys and sorrows; being with them for wakes, funerals and the celebration of other family occasions.
Recognition of the exceptional musical talents of Aboriginal people has led to the provision of classical musical education, and the promotion of music generally. The talents of Aboriginal people in the visual arts are encouraged and promoted through development of spaces to exhibit and conserve some of their valued art works.
The ongoing need in the Kimberley Aboriginal people to recover their individual and communal heritage has led to the establishment of a Photographic Archive to conserve photographs related to Sisters of St John of God involvement with Aboriginal people during the twentieth century.
