Indigenous Learning – Identities, cultures, knowledge and values
One of the key rights that Indigenous Australians hold as the original peoples of this land is the right to a distinct status and culture, which helps maintain and strengthen the identify and spiritual practices of Indigenous Communities.
Training needs to reaffirm students own identities, cultures and histories to provide the appropriate space in which people can acquire skills. The research shows that the personal outcomes Indigenous Australians obtain through training are the most critical. These include improvements in confidence, self-esteem and motivation, strengthened cultural identity, greater participation in the community and cultural activities, improved health and nutrition and new knowledge skills and support to help look after family.
The resources which follow aims to help the teacher link up with local Aboriginal organisations, and help both the teachers and student develop and understanding of places where Aboriginal identity may be fostered, and also the relationship and identity of Aboriginal people in Australia. Hopefully they will also assist in the enjoyment of cultural life and cultural renewal.
There are also a number of protocols and guidelines which help TAFE and schools to acknowledge Indigenous culture, knowledge and values. As the ABC’s Message Stick Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander on line website explains, cultural protocols are about respecting the people and communities you are working with and being aware that different communities have their own protocols which should be followed as well as communicating in a way that is relevant to Indigenous Australians.
This section also refers to a number of biographies and films will provide leadership models for Aboriginal students.
Websites
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
As the State's peak representative body in Indigenous affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council aims to protect the interests and further the aspirations of its members and the broader Aboriginal community, and is the peak representative body in Indigenous affairs in NSW.
NSW has Australia's largest Indigenous population, estimated at more than one hundred thousand. Its Aboriginal communities are diverse, ranging from urban to rural and remote, from modern to traditional in their beliefs and practices.
Barani
Many local councils also host on their website an Indigenous information site. For example the Council of the City of Sydney hosts the Barani website this contains the Indigenous history of the City of Sydney as well as a list of Indigenous organisations in Sydney, significant events, arts and culture as well as the council’s cultural protocols. They will also have important information on local history and Aboriginal peoples.
NSW Shire of Moree Plains
An example of a council website is Shire of Moree Plains, located on the New South Wales and Queensland border, is one of the largest Local Government areas in the State. The Shire also boasts a large Indigenous population (17 per cent) and the Moree Plains Council is committed to leading the way in reconciliation.
Cadigal Wangal
Another example is the Cadigal Wangal website which is represents an Aboriginal history of Marrickville. The site is sponsored by Marrickville Council.
Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
This is the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) language and place name thesaurus.
Vibe Australia
Vibe Australia is an Aboriginal media, communications and events management agency situated in Darlinghurst, Sydney with a staff of 12. This website is contemporary, lively and full of music, information and Aboriginal managed content. It contains targeted, culturally sensitive communication products and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. There are resources for workshops and the classroom on their website.
Message Stick
Message Stick is the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s portal to Indigenous Australian Information on the web. It tells Indigenous stories, and includes ABC Indigenous production across radio television and the web. It offers a direct link to all of the ABC’s Indigenous programming and a wealth of resources
Message Stick Protocols
Message Stick. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Online has developed Cultural Protocols for Indigenous Reporting in the media. The site also provides links to other protocols.
Publications
NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, NSW AECG AND NSW TAFE Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country. Guidelines and protocols for NSW Public Schools and TAFE NSW Institutes
These guidelines assist with Welcome to Country protocols and texts as well as further cultural information.
HORTEN, David Aboriginal Australia Wall Map Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies www.aiatsis.gov.au
This is a map of Aboriginal Australia representing all the language or tribal or national groups of Indigenous people of Australia.
HORTON David (ed) MCKENZIE Kim (Producer) 1994 The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra
There are some 2000 entries and 1000 photographs covering topics like history, art language, sport , education, archaeology, literature land ownership, social organisation, health, music, law, technology media law economy, politics, food and religion. It contains biographies of Aboriginal people from all walks of life and maps and descriptions of Aboriginal organisations. The encyclopaedia is also available on interactive CD-ROM. www.aiatsis.gov.au
ARTHUR B., AND MORPHY, F (Eds) 2005 Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia. Culture and Society through Space and Time. The Macquarie Dictionary Pty Ltd Macquarie University
This Atlas maps Aboriginal population, languages, health, education, land rights, food, art and culture and a host of other culturally significant items through time.
NCVER (2004) Australian vocational education and training statistics. Indigenous Australians’ training experiences. First Findings. ANTA NCVER Leabrook South Australia.
This statistical collection reports on what Indigenous Australians want from training, what they hope to gain from their training experience and what will encourage Indigenous Australians to start and stay in training.
CLENDINNEN Inga 2003 Dancing with Strangers Text Publishing Melbourne Australia
This is an historian’s account of the encounters between the British and Aboriginal Australians during the first nine years of settlement. Drawing from historical records, it focuses upon the possible cultural interpretations and misinterpretations that guided the development of relations between the two people, and is still immensely relevant today.
Codes of conduct and protocols
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STUDIES 2000 Guidelines for ethical research in Indigenous Studies Canberra
BOSTOCK, Leslie. 1997 The Greater perspective: Protocols and Guidelines for the production of Film and Television on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Special Broadcasting Service, Sydney
BYRNE A., GARWOOD A., MOORCROFT H., BARRIES, A., 1995 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resources Network (ATSILIRN)
DEPARTMENT OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT QLD 1998 Mina mir lo ilan man – proper communication with Torres Strait Islander people, produced in conjunction with protocols for consultation and negotiation with Aboriginal people.
HURLEY A., 2003, Respect, Acknowledge, Listen: Practical protocols for working with the Indigenous Community of Western Sydney Community Cultural Development NSW
JANKE Terri, 2004 Writing Cultures: Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Literature. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board, Australia Council, Commonwealth of Australia, Sydney
JANKE Terri 2002 Visual Cultures. Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Visual Arts and Crafts.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board, Australia Council, Commonwealth of Australia, Sydney
Film
Film Australia
has a number of films which can be used as Indigenous studies tools. They include, for example, the following biographies and Indigenous leadership models. The film catalogue also has a range of films exploring Indigenous culture in both remote and urban areas.
Joan Winch
The story of Joan Winch and the professional and personal hurdles she overcame to make an extraordinary contribution to Aboriginal health. In this interview she talks about her work and philosophies, the discrimination experienced by herself and her people, and her own journey from isolation and loss to a sense of purpose and spiritual awakening.
Noel Tovey
Noel Tovey survived a childhood of poverty, neglect and sexual abuse to become a leading light in the arts as an actor choreographer, writer and theatre director in England and Australia. He speaks about his complex sense of identity and the forces and events that shaped him, including the prejudices encountered as an Aboriginal and a gay man
Freedom Ride
This film tells the life of Charles Perkins who grew up on a reserve separated from his relatives. His early experiences of racism spurred him to go on to university and to challenge racial inequality. He became a leader of campaigns against oppression and injustice, leading the 1965 Freedom Rides that challenged apartheid practices in northern NSW.