As a supporter of the Noongar women advocating for their land and right to heal on Country, I write with deep concern regarding their eviction from Sister Kate’s, land of immense cultural and historical significance to Aboriginal people in Western Australia.

Former Sister Kate’s mission, on Whadjuk Noongar land, was a sacred birthing site before colonisation. Post-colonisation, it became a place of suffering, where children and families were forcibly taken, enslaved, and abused as part of the Stolen Generations. The Bringing Them Home Report confirms this was intended to erase Aboriginal cultural identity and describes it as genocide. The report also recommends the return of lands used for these purposes to Aboriginal people.

Despite commitments to reparations, the Uniting Church retains ownership. While some land was returned to two Sister Kate’s Aboriginal corporations via the Indigenous Land Council, the Church kept two lots. In 2007, it vested Lots 255 and 258 in Beananing Kwuurt Institute (BKI), a Church-controlled entity. In May 2024, the Church suspended the BKI Board, issued an eviction notice, and displaced Noongar women by December 13, 2024—disrupting their healing and vital community services. However, community supporters have since occupied the site, refusing to leave.

I am horrified to hear that after months of the womens’ advocacy, last week the Uniting Church and the Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) made a secret deal with another Aboriginal organisation for the use of the land, YOKAI, without consulting with the women. This is very disrespectful to these women Elders, who are Stolen Generation survivors and families, to exclude them from decisions about sacred women’s land.

For years, Noongar women have reclaimed this site as a place of healing and support, providing advocacy, food relief, health services, mental health support, arts and cultural programs.

We urge the Uniting Church to:

• Return Sister Kate’s land to Noongar people as per Recommendation 41 of the Bringing Them Home Report, involving Stolen Generations survivors and their families.

• Engage in formal dialogue with these Noongar women, Congress, and community leaders to find a just resolution.

True reconciliation requires meaningful action; not creating division between Noongar people. I call on you to right past wrongs and ensure land back for Stolen Generations. Sorry means you don’t do it again.