Student First Nations Immersion- Brisbane
From Monday 12th to Wednesday 14th May, a group of Year 9 and 10 students from across Kildare Ministries gathered for a powerful and enriching First Nations Immersion experience on the land of the Quandamooka, Jagera and Turrbal people (Brisbane). This special program brought together students of both First Nations and non-First Nations backgrounds, united by a shared curiosity and respect for First Nations culture.
Over three days, students and their accompanying staff engaged deeply with the stories, traditions, and perspectives of the local Jagera, Turrbal, and Quandamooka peoples. The Immersion aimed to foster understanding and connection, both to each other and to the land.
Through storytelling, cultural learning, and team-building activities, students gained insight about each other and themselves. Building these relationships enabled honest and respectful sharing about who we are, as people from diverse backgrounds living on this land. Students heard First Nations perspectives of our shared history, including the ongoing broken connections to family and Country caused by the removal of children through the Stolen Generations. Students also learnt more about what connection to Country actually means, and were encouraged to explore their own connection to the land, be they First Nations or not.
Students and staff were moved and changed by this experience, and all left with hope and desire to further strengthen their connections to First Nations in their own communities.
We are incredibly grateful to the local Elders who shared of themselves, their knowledge and their wisdom, and to the staff at Brigidine College Indooroopilly for their warm hospitality. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the teachers and staff who made this immersion possible.
Some of our students were invited to share their personal reflections of their experience on this immersion. Their reflections follow.
Reflection from Brigidine College, St Ives
On 12th May, four St Ives' students from Year 9 and 10 travelled to Brisbane to participate in an Indigenous Immersion run by Kildare Ministries. Over three days, we had the privilege of listening to stories from First Nations Elders and Community Leaders and participating in team-bonding activities to connect to the land, each other and ourselves.
Arriving in Brisbane we were greeted by some seasonal rain but this didn't dampen our spirits! Here we met with some other Kildare schools at the bus station; Kilbreda, Killester, Marian, Kildare and St Joseph's College. We settled into the campsite before engaging in a yarning session; a custom of sharing knowledge through storytelling practised by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. As we gathered on Quandamooka Country (the traditional owners of Redlands Bay) it was important to acknowledge their continuous connection to the land as a sign of respect and an extension of hospitality. As the Kildare Ministries theme for 2025, this idea of hospitality was central to our Immersion and was exemplified by the Aunties; Wulli Wulli woman Aunty Kathleen, and four Elders from the COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Centre.
Even though we’d never met, the Aunties spoke to us as if we were family, sharing harrowing stories of the Stolen Generations and rich aspects of their cultural traditions. After listening deeply to the Aunties’ stories, we yarned about our own connections to the land and our heritage. With many different cultures over four states, we learned a great deal about each other through the generous sharing of knowledge.
Connecting to Country went hand in hand with learning about each other, which was demonstrated through the second day’s activities. Embarking on Kindalin’s perfectly still waters, we spent the morning canoeing. In this silence and tranquillity, we learnt to appreciate the wonder of our natural world. After a meditation and prayer session, we had a quick lunch and went on a beautiful nature walk. Upon returning from our walk, our group engaged in “possum gliding”, a team-building activity that emphasises trust between students, as one student is lifted into the air by the force of their peers running in the opposite direction.
After dinner, we gathered around a campfire to meditate and pray. In reflecting upon the experience, we realised how thankful we were for this chance to learn about others and the history of this Country. This yarning was led by Auntie Kathy, who stayed with us throughout the Immersion. We were also very grateful to the First Nations students who shared the ways they connect to culture, kin and Country in their daily lives.
On the final day of our Immersion, we travelled to Brigidine College Indooroopilly, where we were graciously welcomed with a sumptuous morning tea. As a group, we moved to the hall for a time of reflection where we listened to the school’s history and ongoing commitment to fostering First Nations culture and community from the Principal, Mr Brenden Cahill. We were then introduced to Catholic Education Brisbane's First Nations Educator, Brett Greinke, who Auntie Kathy’s nephew. He spoke about his journey seeking cultural connections, and the fight for Indigenous rights and freedoms in the Brisbane region.
Listening to Brett and Mr Cahill, the Aunties and all our peers throughout this experience, we were challenged by what we heard. As non-Indigenous Australians, we were confronted with some of the gaps in our understanding of Australia’s history but this is what deep listening is all about. At the end of the Immersion, all our hearts and minds were changed by what we heard.
Veronica and Rose
Year 10 Students
Brigidine College, St Ives
Reflection from Kilbreda College, Mentone
Taylah and Matilda spoke at Kilbreda's National Reconciliation Week Liturgy about their experience at the First Nations Immersion. Here is an excerpt from their speech:
“… in May, we had the wonderful opportunity to fly up to Brisbane to attend Kildare Ministries’ Indigenous Immersion camp. We were joined by other Kildare Ministries schools from all over Australia and embarked on a rich, immersive, and highly enjoyable camp. Over three days, we were accompanied by Aunty Kathleen, a Wulli Wulli woman who told stories about her past, her community and what connection means.
We learnt about the traditional foods that local Indigenous communities sometimes eat, we heard stories about the Aunties’ lives, and what it meant for them to be able to work and teach the younger generations about Indigenous Reconciliation. The power of these interactions, and the vulnerability and kindness these Aunties showed us, were unmatched. Hearing these stories in person was heartbreaking but empowering, creating a whole new perspective on the Stolen Generation and making it truly eye-opening to hear firsthand how many people are still affected. These stories are not talked about enough, but they are so relevant.
The space that was created at the PGL Kindilan camp, to talk about our heritage and family stories, is something we wish to replicate at school and home. The openness shared during yarning set the foundation for friendships to blossom. The incredible experiences we had and people we met at camp, will be carried with us all throughout our lives. The deep dedication everyone at the camp had to Reconciliation was inspiring. This camp was not about highlighting the divide between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal Australians, but rather how we can fix this gap, share stories and most importantly, listen to create a better future for upcoming generations.”
Reflection from Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
Last month, our Year 9 and 10 First Nations students joined other Kildare Ministries schools across Australia to partake in Kildare Ministries' Annual First Nations Camp, held at PGL Kindilan, Redland Bay this year.
Students spent three days together, building relationships through fun activities including canoeing and possum gliding, and learning from Elders and each other through yarning circles.
"Storytelling and yarning have always been a central part of Indigenous culture, and it is so important that students engage with Elders, who have so much cultural knowledge and experience to share. Seeing the students coming together and connecting over the camp was amazing."
Tiah Kalaja, First Nations Liaison Officer
During yarning circles, all students were invited to share their ancestry and stories from their families with the group, fostering respect and understanding. Through these conversations, students not only learned about each other’s histories, but also developed deeper empathy and a shared appreciation for the richness of their collective experiences.
Students were also given the opportunity to pause and take time to appreciate Country, and recognise the history, memories, and significance it still holds today.
On the final morning, our First Nations students at Brigidine Indooroopilly had the opportunity to host the visiting students from interstate. This provided a welcoming space for conversation and community. The morning started with a delicious morning tea in the Convent, then moved across to the Auditorium for a Welcome to Country, a word from Aunty Kathleen and guest speaker Mr Brett Greinke, First Nations Support Education Officer and rugby player. It was a wonderful way to share culture, respect, and shared stories here at Brigidine.
We thank all who participated and contributed to making the First Nations Immersion Program a memorable one.
Tiah Kalaja, First Nations Liaison Officer