The 2024 Francis Xavier Conaci Scholarship: Nurturing Indigenous Educators
Each year, the Francis Xavier Conaci Scholarship offers Australian First Nations students a unique opportunity to travel to Rome and pursue higher education. This scholarship, supported by the Australian Catholic University and the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, is named after Francis Xavier Conaci, a young Australian Aboriginal boy who tragically passed away while training as a monk in Rome in the 19th century.
Two exceptional individuals chosen for the 2024 scholarship are Zane Ratcliff, a 23-year-old Wakka Wakka man, and Ryan St. John, a 21-year-old Gamilaroi man. During a recent event hosted by the Australian Embassy, they mesmerized the audience with traditional Wakka Wakka dances, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
A Passion for Indigenous Education
Both Ratcliff and St. John are currently pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Education at the Australian Catholic University. In addition to their regular coursework, they are also taking a course in Catholic Social Teaching at the university’s campus in Rome.
Ratcliff, emphasizing the importance of education for Indigenous communities, expressed his desire to utilize his learnings in Rome to empower First Nations people through education. He aims to bridge the education gap prevalent among Indigenous Australians, as statistics show that only 39% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 20 and above have completed their schooling.
St. John, who serves as a First Nations support officer at a primary school, aspires to continue working with children post-graduation, aiding them in connecting with their cultural roots and experiencing personal growth.
Advocating for Indigenous Rights
The event, graced by the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro, coincided with NAIDOC week, a significant celebration in Australia that commemorates the history and culture of First Nations peoples. Ambassador Porro highlighted the importance of honoring Indigenous heritage while also advocating for Indigenous rights, echoing Pope Francis’s past statements on indigenous issues.
Bishop Paul Tighe from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, who was present at the event, emphasized the role of education in preserving cultural heritage. He commended Ratcliff and St. John for their dedication to becoming educators for First Nations communities, recognizing the significance of their future role in preserving Indigenous culture.
Together, Ratcliff, St. John, and other scholarship recipients are not only pursuing their educational aspirations but also championing a noble cause – the empowerment and preservation of Indigenous traditions and knowledge.
