reasources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – #readilearn

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NAIDOC Week celebrations, which would normally take place in early July, have been postponed until November this year due to Covid-19. However, that is no reason to cancel sharing Indigenous stories and lessons with your class. After all, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is one of the cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum and is an important part of our national heritage. While some may not feel confident teaching Indigenous perspectives, the only way to become more confident is by being informed.

In this post I share some websites and resources that you may find useful in preparing lessons and some organisations whose goals of improving the education and future success of our Indigenous students you may wish to support.

Raising culturally aware kids

In this article, How to Raise Culturally Aware Kids written for ABC Life, Samantha Turnbull introduces us to Kirby Barker a Bandjalang worman and early childhood teacher from northern New South Wales. Kirby teaches her preschoolers to counter racism with kindness. The article shares Kirby’s advice on how to present information to young children including words that can be used to explain the history. She discusses

  • the need to celebrate difference
  • ways of explaining traditional owners and inviting them into the classroom
  • how to talk about reconciliation with children
  • the importance of sharing stories
  • learning Indigenous languages
  • developing empathy.

While only a brief article, you will glean many ideas from Kirby Barker which, though easily implemented, will have a profound effect.

Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The aim of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is to raise literacy levels by supplying books to remote communities.

Continue reading: Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – readilearn

33 thoughts on “Resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – #readilearn”

  3. Jacqui Murray

    I know learning about America’s indigenous people–the Indians (that’s what they call themselves though we call them Native Americans). I developed such respect for their life.Yes, I got that their culture was different and maybe out of sync with Western values, but that’s not the point. Since then, I have an abiding interest in their lives. That’s my long way of saying these are valuable resources.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you, Jacqui. We can all learn a lot from each other, can’t we. I think having an interest in others helps to develop respect, which is so important for all of us across the globe.

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  5. acflory

    Excellent resources. Like Carol, I was never taught anything about Australia’s Indigenous Peoples while at school. If we had been taught the truth about settlement and First Nations’ culture, Australian History might not have been the utterly boring subject that it was.

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. dgkaye

    Great share Norah. I think all schools should be including Indigenous history. Time to educate for children to learn the truthful heritage of their homelands – the good and the bad parts. 🙂 x

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. CarolCooks2

    I think this is a lovely idea and very essential that children learn above indigenous peoples and their role in society. I don’t remember it being part of our school curriculum when I was at school in the UK but hope it is now as there are communities like Romany Gypsies which although a minority ethnic group have contributed to British society for centuries and in number are some 300,000. I just think it is all tied into what is wrong with society today like racism and inclusion/equality….Be safe and stay well Norah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thanks for your lovely comment, Carol. It is certainly essential. The history of our country that we ‘learned’ in school, the little that there was of it, was mostly misinformation. It’s good to see that the real history is now being shared. It needs to be recognised everywhere. Too many peoples have been maligned, misrepresented and marginalised for too long.

      Liked by 1 person

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  8. cynthiahm

    Sharing the story telling tradition of the Indigenous people is vital and I believe it is the role of all teachers to include this in the curriculum. There is so much to be learned from these stories. Thank you, Norah.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      That’s very true, Cynthia. It is vital that the stories be told. Indigenous perspectives are an integral part of our curriculum here but I think a lot of teachers still don’t feel confident about teaching it. Many fear making unintentional mistakes. It is interesting that it is one of the most popular topics with many visitors on my blog. It proves that teachers are keen to learn and share.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. cynthiahm

        It is an area of growth for many people but I think if you teach it while at the same time admitting that it is an area of growth for you and then also reach out to individuals in the indigenous community and invite them as guests into your classroom, it will help. I have much to learn on this topic and I think it is better to try than to remain silent. Silence is a statement too.

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