Elsie Heiss, known as Aunty Elsie, is an Indigenous Australian, a Wiradjuri elder and a Catholic religious leader.
16 Facts About Elsie Heiss
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Elsie Heiss has led Aboriginal Catholic Ministry programs for over three decades and was NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year in 2009.
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Elsie Heiss was born at Erambie Mission in Cowra, New South Wales.
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Elsie Heiss's people, including her father James and her mother Amy, are of the Wiradjuri nation.
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Elsie Heiss's upbringing was shaped by her aboriginal heritage, history and identity, as well as by the Catholic Church, which has been a continual influence throughout her life.
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Elsie Heiss has worked for justice for Aboriginal people for many years, trying particularly to bring about recognition, respect and action from the Catholic Church.
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Elsie Heiss has sought a stronger commitment from the Catholic Church in its support of Aboriginal people, especially by its acceptance of indigenous cultures and practices.
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Elsie Heiss believes that the deep spiritual beliefs of Aboriginal people have much to bring to the Catholic Church.
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Elsie Heiss has built bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities at hundreds of events, speaking on topics as Aboriginal spirituality, the Stolen Generations, Reconciliation and justice.
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Elsie Heiss welcomed Pope Benedict XVI into Sydney as part of the celebrations, spoke to him in German, and introduced an Indigenous message stick that accompanied the cross on a journey around the country.
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Elsie Heiss was married to Joe for 45 years before he died in 2005.
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Elsie Heiss is a mother of five and grandmother of six.
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In 2003 Elsie Heiss was awarded the NAIDOC community award for her work in health and church in the community.
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Elsie Heiss was awarded Female Elder of the Year by the National NAIDOC Awards in 2009.
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In 2010 Elsie Heiss was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.
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Elsie Heiss was made a Dame Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great in 2018 for her efforts in promoting an appreciation of Christian spirituality within an Aboriginal context.