Elsie Heiss facts for kids

Elsie Heiss, also known as Aunty Elsie, is an important Indigenous Australian leader. She is a respected elder of the Wiradjuri people and a Catholic religious leader. For over 30 years, she has led programs that help Aboriginal people connect with the Catholic Church. In 2009, she was named NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year.

Growing Up and Learning

Elsie Heiss was born Elsie Williams at Erambie Mission in Cowra, New South Wales. Her family, including her father James and mother Amy, belong to the Wiradjuri nation. Elsie spent most of her childhood in Wiradjuri country, especially around Griffith and Cowra.

Her upbringing was shaped by her Aboriginal background and history. The Catholic Church also played a big part in her life from a young age.

Later, Elsie moved to Sydney. There, she met and married Josef (Joe) Heiss. In 1989, she decided to go back to school. She completed a full-time TAFE course and earned the highest marks that year.

Working for Change

Elsie Heiss has worked for many years to bring fairness and understanding for Aboriginal people. She especially wanted the Catholic Church to recognize and respect Indigenous cultures. She believes that the deep spiritual beliefs of Aboriginal people can teach the Catholic Church a lot.

Elsie is very passionate about helping all Australians understand Aboriginal people, their culture, and their history. Because of her knowledge, she has been asked to join many important groups. These include the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Ecumenical Council of NSW.

Elsie has helped connect Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. She has spoken at hundreds of events about topics like Aboriginal spirituality, the Stolen Generations, and Reconciliation.

Since 1999, Elsie has represented New South Wales on the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC). She has also been involved in the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) movement in New South Wales for decades. She helped create a special center and the Church of Reconciliation in La Perouse. Here, Aboriginal culture can be celebrated within the Catholic faith.

Elsie's important work has been recognized in Australia and around the world. In 1995, she took part in a special smoking ceremony for Pope John Paul II. In 1998, she was the only Aboriginal person at a big meeting in Rome called the Synod of Oceania.

As the leader of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, Elsie played a key role during World Youth Day 2008. She welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Sydney. She even spoke to him in German! She also introduced an Indigenous message stick that traveled around Australia with the cross.

Family Life

Elsie was married to Joe for 45 years. He passed away in 2005. She is a mother of five children and a grandmother of six. One of her daughters is the well-known Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss.

Awards and Recognition

Elsie Heiss has received many awards for her amazing work.

• In 2003, she won the NAIDOC community award for her work in health and the church.
• In 2009, she was named Female Elder of the Year by the National NAIDOC Awards.
• In 2010, the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, gave her an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. In 2020, the university started a scholarship in her honor, called the Aunty Elsie Indigenous Support Scholarship.
• In 2013, a plaque was placed at the Reconciliation Church. It honors Elsie's role as a founding member of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.
• In 2018, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great. This award recognized her efforts to help people understand Christian spirituality within an Aboriginal context.