We ask leading educators how they bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into their programs.
Try these reflective questions to use with this video, either individually or at your next staff meeting or PD session:
- Why does every Australian child have the right to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures?
- What are some of the ways educators in the video included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their programs?
- Do you agree with Rose Kelly’s comment that “if there is context with tokenism, then it is still meaningful”?
- How confident do you feel when it comes to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives? Do you ever worry about ‘doing the wrong thing’ or offending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? If yes, should this stop you from trying?
- Does your program reflect local Aboriginal practices? How could you find out more?
Reflective questions_Meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
Encourage your team and your families to take a glimpse of how life looks from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective through these online modules presented by Reconciliation Australia. Go through the content on your own, critically reflect in team meetings and watch the videos with children. Think about what interested, challenged or surprised you and what you might do differently with your increased knowledge.
Flow chart that will help you build relationships with local Koorie Communities.
Looking for some books to help build children's knowledge and understanding of First Nations peoples and culture? Check out this awesome list of the top 10 Aboriginal children's books for Victoria!
SNAICC is a peak body representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Check out the resources page.
Explore this website to learn more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. How do you create an environment in your service that has a high level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions?
Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) is a word from the language of the Ngunnawal people meaning alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace. Explore this website and learn more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. How do you create an environment in your service that has a high level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions?
'Keeping Aboriginal Children Safe In A Mainstream Organisation’ is a video resource/tool for mainstream organisations to provide cultural safety for an Aboriginal child in the context of child safe standards. The video clip explores the three key areas 1. Being culturally competent. 2. Providing a culturally safe space and 3. Ensuring an Aboriginal child has a voice. The clip was developed by Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and funded by the Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS).
Keeping Aboriginal Children Safe In A Mainstream Organisation - Video
Walking together will help educators create Koorie-inclusive learning environments that respect and reflect Aboriginal people, content and perspectives – benefiting the experiences of all children.
The Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games resource, produced by the Australian Sports Commission, was developed to provide all Australians with a greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. It combines curriculum principles and cultural traditions in sport-related activities for people of all ages, while ensuring the integrity of traditional games. It can be used in schools around Australia as an educational resource and as a guide to inclusive, structured sport within communities.
Take a look at this two part video found on the ecrh site (Early Childhood Research Hub) where you can listen to educators talk about the opportunities, challenges, mistakes and successes they have experienced as they have worked to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being in their everyday practice. Use the reflective questions in team meetings or on your own and make a plan of action – what will you do to ensure Aboriginal ways of knowing and being are embedded in your practices?
www.ecrh.edu.au> Exploring reconciliation in early childhood practice
Jessica Staines – Director of the Koori Curriculum – has been working as Play School's Aboriginal Early Childhood Consultant to develop the show's first ever Acknowledgement of Country episode. She hopes you will embrace it and use it to inspire your own Acknowledgement of Country.
Please remember when you are doing an Acknowledgement of Country that you are actually speaking to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ancestors. This is a privilege you should not take lightly. This reflects what an Acknowledgement of Country means to First Nations people – it is not just a tick-the-box action – it means so much more.
Learn about Berrimba Child Care Centre through this digital story. Berrimba Child Care Centre is a Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Service based in Echuca, Victoria. SNAICC launched this digital story on their channel to help raise awareness about the important work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander integrated early years services. As you watch, think about how you connect and understand your community. How do you provide a culturally safe, welcoming and supportive learning environment for children?
Forever Learning – A digital story from Berrimba Child Care Centre
From the Australian Government's Australian Institute of Family Studies comes this paper about the strengths of Australian Aboriginal cultural practices in family life and child rearing, have a read and learn.
This guide, developed by SNAICC, is not a formula but it will help you think about what cultural work might need to happen in your service and of the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Cultural Needs
This KidsMatter website portal brings together a range of public resources about the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
KidsMatter > Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resource portal
