Produced by Nungalinya College.
Created by Warwick Vincent (40 Stories Project).
 

Nungalinya College have generously made the film free to watch and share.
(Creative Commons License: CC BY-NC-ND).

Sharing in public settings, schools, churches, online, etc. is free. As long as the license conditions are upheld (no commercial use, no sharing of edited versions, acknowledging Nungalinya College), no permission is required.

To make sharing the film easier, downloads of the film are available at:
https://www.nungalinya.edu.au/the-spirit-of-reconciliation#Watch_Trailer

 

A JESUS-LED FILM!

​​

We give thanks for the many amazing ways that Jesus led the making of this film, from His clear choice of interview subjects to the many ways he ensured that powerful images were captured for the film. 

​

We also value the close relationship that the 40 Stories Project enjoys with Nungalinya College, and appreciate the generous spirit with which they have made this film available to all.

​

THEMES IN THIS STORY

​​

Australia

Reconciliation 

Aboriginal culture

Forgiveness

Healing

Unity

Peace

Living Jesus' way

​

​

KEY QUOTES from this story:

​

Indigenous Elders and leaders from 8 communities across Australia’s Northern Territory were asked, "What would you like us to understand about reconciliation?" These are their stories.

​

There are stories of reconciliation from the elders, from inside our culture, from the Bible, from nature, and also, from family and community.

​

​

How can we be reconciled with people when we go through so much pain, trouble, suffering?​

 

My grandmothers taught me to respect others. And they taught me if you have someone from different country come to your country, you welcome them.​​

​

Mägaya Rom (peace and harmony law) is peace. Me and my wife and our family, we still keep that mägaya rom (peace). Because Garray, Jesus is the only Wangany Bunguwa (one boss) for us.

 

They all put down their spears, and they came over and they started hugging each other, crying to each other. They had a reconciliation.

 

We need to have unity in Christ, unity between Yolŋu (Aboriginal people) to each other. Yolŋu people to Balanda people (non-Aboriginal people), for everyone of us.

 

We just can't keep walking separately, you know?

 

Makarrata is a judicial system where Yolŋu come together to break that dispute... Like in a courtroom, it's settled.

We feel there’s war going on. You either make war or run to Jesus... The cross was God's Makarrata, because he loved you and I... 

It was the blood that was needed for our peace, for our forgiveness. And now there's no pay back.

​

They used that payback for a long time, and it didn't bring any freedom or rescue, you know?... Christ did all that payback for us, on the cross.

​

There’s racism, and the pain that we carried, you know, so heavy... God was there all of that time...​

 

Our Kriol word for forgiveness, I’ve got to "Larramgo yu fri" (let them go, you’re free).
 

People are thirsty. We need that living water, deep down within us. 

 

We’re going to stand together. People of God: one. One heart, one mind and spirit. The Spirit will lead us...

​

If your family are not together, pray and ask Jesus for help.

​

Jesus said to God the Father, “May they be one, as you and I are one.” (John 17v21)

​

Can God bring reconciliation, even to a whole community?

​

They had clubs, they had sticks. They had stones... to hit that person or stab that person... The police came and tried to break that. It went for 3 or 4 days...

​​

God’s Spirit always said to us, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46v10).

​

There’s been tribal wars here. Some are generational, from a long time ago. 

But we in this generation need to say, “...yaka (no), no more pay back.”

​

If somebody has hurt you or me, we need to forgive, because we were freely forgiven.​

​

We are hurt by people. And so the stories that were once a part of us... You can't tell it because it hurts!... We are holding on to something. Every day, we have to let go.

​

Our culture is very important... But what about the new identity that Christ gave us? That I'm a child of God...

​

God is for everyone, for all nations.

​

It is this good news that we carry as messengers of reconciliation. 
Dhä manapaṉmirri (come together) Garray Walangawurr, through Christ.

​

Reconciliation is about humanity coming together, sitting with each other, talking about the problems and not throwing problems at each other... Saying sorry is not going to fix it. Until we do reconciliation, be friends, real friends, in peace with each other.​

​

I see my sisters and brothers, Mununga mob, white people, they are the same like me. I don't see them as my enemy.

​

Let God be in charge. Let Jesus be the centre of your life. And let him be the centre of all your relationships.

​

​Can you hear the Spirit of God talking to your heart about reconciliation?... Bringing us together. One people of God.

​

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4v32)