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Reconciled to a full house

30 May 2012
Reconciled to a full house

Adrian and Natalie Kistan with their three small boys along with Jess, Buddy, Kyle and Ida. 

It was 45 years ago, on May 27 when our country’s most successful referendum saw Australians vote to change the constitution to better recognize indigenous people as full citizens. On June 3, 20 years ago, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision, paving the way for indigenous land rights. It’s these significant dates that set the parameters for Reconciliation Week.

The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is “Let’s Talk Recognition”. This is a time to focus on how Australians can better recognize each other, as well as the contribution, culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In 2011 The Salvation Army recognized the need to “close the gap” on the indigenous disadvantage in Australia. The Indigenous Community House on the northern beaches in Sydney is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Northern Beaches Christian School. The program supports indigenous students from rural areas in completing their high school studies. This initiative aims to see indigenous young people be given the opportunity to make a positive difference in not only their own lives, but in the lives of their families and rural communities.

Earlier this year The Salvation Army Territorial Indigenous Ministry Coordinator, Adrian Kistan, and his wife Natalie along with their three young boys, saw their family almost double in size overnight. Adrian and Natalie are house parents in the first Indigenous Community House facilitated by The Salvation Army. After the initial adjustment to a new living environment the Kistans and their newly extended family of four teenagers, Jess, Buddy, Kyle and Ida, settled in to the day to day routine of what some might consider the Salvo version of The Brady Bunch.

On all accounts “The Salvo Bunch” is doing really well. The students are all excelling at school, not only in sport but also academically. “That has its challenges” says Adrian “with their literacy levels not quite the same as other students.” It’s obvious the students are all working really hard from the ‘above average’ results they obtained at the end of their first term.

The Indigenous Community House not only gives these young people the opportunity of a great education, but it also gives them many social, emotional and spiritual opportunities they may not have been exposed to in their rural community. While they are encouraged to return home for school holidays and their families are more than welcome to visit, they can enjoy the advantage of living in a Christian home. It is in this Christian home where Adrian says “we are enabling them to discover who they are in Christ.” The students learn that they are valued and are encouraged to reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives.

The students are really excited about Reconciliation Week as they are naturally passionate about this and other indigenous issues. “They understand the issues of the past and what their grandparents and parents have endured” says Adrian. However, for these young people the future is different. “They’re looking toward their future and understand that it’s about a reconciled future, of black and whites coming together” says Adrian. For Jess, Buddy, Kyle and Ida, they have the opportunity to rewrite a new positive page in Australia’s history.

During Reconciliation Week Adrian and his extended family of teenagers will be addressing a number of school assemblies, sharing their thoughts on reconciliation. They will show that they are living proof that reconciliation does work, that people from different cultures can live together by recognizing their differences and celebrating the many things they have in common. Together they can make their futures better. 

Report by Major Carolyn Harmer

Comments

  1. Denis Mitchell
    Denis Mitchell

    Adrain and Natalie, may Gods wonderful Love be with you both, MANY BLESSINGS !!! Denis

  2. Great work Adrian & Natalie. The childrens families & community obviously hold you in high regard to entrust the care of their children with you. Your work in they're home community to begin with was the seed that was planted in their lives & the lives of their families. God bless you all!!!

  3. What a beautiful looking family. May God continue to shine his light on you all.

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The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.