theresa ardler

Theresa Ardler is a proud First Nations descendant of her seaborn and mountain bloodlines; Gweagal, Gadigal, Bidjigal, Wangal, Cammeraygal, Wallumedegal and Gandangarra Clans of the Eora Nation, Sydney her mother’s country where she was born. Wodi Wodi of the Dharawal Nation as well. 

She grew up in her father’s country the Wandandian Clan of the Yuin nation, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, Australia in the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Fishing Community. 

Theresa’s working life has been in education in many roles including teacher, consultant, advisor, research officer and lecturer. She has worked across all educational systems Catholic, State Government and Independent Schools within Australia from pre-school to tertiary level. At the Australian Catholic University, Theresa was the first Research Indigenous Liaison Officer of the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education and now Owner of Gweagal Cultural Connections. 

Theresa currently is a Sessional Academic in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and Law & Business at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus, only in second semester. Recently appointed as the Inaugural Head Lecturer for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples course for the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and Law & Business at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus in July 2023. 

May 2022, Theresa was invited to present at the Laudato si’ Week in Rome which was promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, that celebrated the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, and focused on the seven objectives pursued in the Laudato si’ Action Platform to create a critical social mass and protect our common home. Theresa’s presentation was to the Cry of the Earth relating to sacred Ocean environment and the Humpback whales (her spiritual totems) as her people are deeply connected to the whales. Theresa also presented Pope Francis the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which he received warmly. 

Theresa is the Director and Owner of Gweagal Cultural Connections which provides Aboriginal cultural learning and engagement services for schools and educators across Australia. She is a member of the Oceania-Asia faith delegation led by the River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN), Caritas Internationalis, Mission Society of St. Columban, and the Laudato Si’ Movement. Theresa attended the United Nations Conference on the Oceans at Lisbon Portugal in July 2022. 

In August 2023, Theresa was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 9th Parliament of the World’s Religions in which marks the 130th anniversary of the First World Parliament of Religions and the 30th anniversary of the centennial celebration in 1993, in that city of Chicago, that launched the global movement in pursuit of justice, peace and sustainability. 

The theme for this 9th Parliament is ‘We are Called to Conscience: Defending Freedom, Sacred Water, Climate Change and Human Rights’. She presented as a keynote speaker on two panels (i) Faith for Water and (ii) Sacred Water in a Climate Changed Era. 

In August 4th, Theresa was invited to speak with the Laudato Si Movement during World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal 2023 as a First Nations Australian from the Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, Portugal Manuel Clemente, in which made international media on the workshop “Ecology and Hope” workshop, inspired by the Laudato Si Encyclical and the Inacian Ecological Exam. She was featured with Jose and Ana Varela (Lisbon, Portugal), Igor Bastos, and Suzi (Brazil), all Laudato Si Movement. 

Theresa’s vision is to work towards educating universities, school communities, teachers, students, and religious organisations about the richness of Aboriginal Culture and Spirituality within Australian society and beyond that connects with the ocean and climate change connecting Laudato Si. As the future of Aboriginal Spirituality and Education unfolds, Theresa seeks opportunities to work creatively and innovatively in cultural, school, university, and religious environments to produce genuine and meaningful cultural dialogue as a First Nations Elder.