Elliot’s school has an International Day each year where you represent your passport country. There’s a parade of nations and stalls for each country and we were asked to do a cultural presentation at the assembly as well.

National identity is slippery and complex at the best of times. What story do you choose to tell about your nation? Here’s our presentation:

G’day, we’re the Davises and we’re from Australia.

Before European invasion and colonisation of Australia, there were over 300 nations speaking 700 languages, with sophisticated social and legal structures, complex land management systems, and rich traditions of song, dance, art and storytelling.

We acknowledge them as the traditional custodians of the land and as stewards on behalf of the Almighty Creator. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and future and thank them for the opportunity to learn from them.

One of those elders is Uncle Reverend Ron Williams, who wrote an Aboriginal version of Psalm 23 called ‘My big fella boss up in the sky is like a father emu.’ Emus are unique to Australia, and after the mama lays the eggs, it is the father who sits on them and tenderly cares for the young. We’d like to share his version with you today.

My big fella boss up in the sky is like the father Emu.

He will always look after me and take me to green grass,

and lead me to where the water holes are full and fresh all the time.

He leads me away from the thick scrub and helps me keep safe from the hunters, dingoes and eagles.

At night time when I am very lonely and sad,

I will not be afraid,

for my Father covers me with his feathers

like a father emu.

His spear and shield will always protect me.

My big fella boss always give me a good feed

in the middle of my enemies.

In hot times he makes me sit down in a cool shade and rest.

He gives me plenty of love and care all of my life through.

Then I will live with my big fella boss like a father emu:

that cares for his chicks in good country,full of peace and safety

For evermore and evermore. Amen.

Categories: Written by Tamie

Tagged as: Aboriginal spirituality Australia Father Emu International Day national identity Uncle Reverend Ron Williams

Tamie Davis

Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.