ABC Radio National program Soul Search features Dr Anne Pattel Gray – a globally recognized expert on Black theology, and the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded a doctorate in theology in the 1990s. The program also speaks with Uncle Alf ‘Boydie’ Turner, the grandson of the legendary Yorta Yorta leader William Cooper whose lifelong pursuit of justice remains remarkably relevant today.
Today we’ll introduce you to Dr Anne Pattel Gray – a globally recognized expert on Black theology, and the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded a doctorate in theology in the 1990s.
Before she made history with her PhD in theology, she had emerged as a Christian leader with a national profile and platform. As the founding executive secretary of the Aboriginal and Islander commission of the National Council of Churches, Anne helped bring Indigenous perspectives to the national and international church. Anne speaks about the question of reconciliation as a pilgrimage towards justice, the role of churches in relation to Indigenous Christian leaders, belonging, and identity.
We also speak to Uncle Alf ‘Boydie’ Turner, the grandson of the legendary Yorta Yorta leader William Cooper whose lifelong pursuit of justice remains remarkably relevant today.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode of Soul Search includes the names and voices of people who have died.
You can listen to – or download – this broadcast program here.
Presenter: Meredith Lake
Producer: Mariam Chehab/Hong Jiang
Duration: 54min 7sec
Broadcast: Sun 31 May 2020, 6:05pm
More Information
Dr Anne Pattel Gray, biography https://2019.commondreams.org.au/practitioners/anne-pattel-gray
Anne Pattel gray, Article on Australian Indigenous religions: Aboriginal Christianity https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/australian-indigenous-religions-aboriginal-christianity
Pastor Charles Harris – biography http://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/harris-charles-enoch-18183
One Blood: the story of William Cooper on AWAYE! https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/one-blood-the-story-of-william-cooper/3669830
William Cooper’s anti-Nazi protest https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-10/william-coopers-protest-against-kristallnacht-nazi-violence/10481936
Music:
Ngarra Burra Ferra, Jessica Mauboy, Lou Bennett, Juanita Tippins and Jade Macrae, from The Sapphires Soundtrack
Yorta Yorta Man, Jimmy Little, from ‘Yorta Yorta Man’
Oh My (feat Sergiio), L-FRESH the LION, from ‘South West’