Section outline

  • Course Summary: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundations

    Welcome to "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundations," a comprehensive course designed to deepen your understanding of the rich cultural heritage, historical context, and contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples in Australia. This course aims to equip educators, policymakers, and community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to support and empower Indigenous students within the educational system.

    Through a series of twelve detailed lectures, you will explore a range of topics including the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems, the impact of historical and current educational policies, and the importance of culturally responsive teaching practices. You will gain insights into the challenges and disparities in literacy and numeracy, health and education, and behavioural management, as well as effective strategies to address these issues.

    Key topics include

    • The historical and contemporary status of Indigenous peoples in Australian society.
    • Navigating the landscape of Indigenous education policy in Australia and Queensland.
    • The politics of knowledge and the importance of Indigenous epistemologies.
    • Community engagement and the role of schools in Indigenous settings.
    • The importance of Aboriginal English and language preservation in the classroom.
    • Addressing health disparities and their impact on educational outcomes.
    • Effective teaching and learning strategies for Indigenous students.
    • Behaviour management, attendance, and suspension strategies focused on Indigenous students.
    • The unique experiences of educators living and working in remote Indigenous communities.

    This course is designed to foster a deeper appreciation for Indigenous cultures and to promote educational practices that are inclusive, respectful, and effective. Join us on this journey to better understand and support the educational aspirations and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

  • Welcome to the first topic of our course, "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundations." In this section, we will embark on a journey to understand the profound impact of colonial policies on Indigenous Australians and their enduring significance in contemporary society.

    We will explore the rich pre-colonial history of Indigenous Australians, highlighting their deeply interconnected relationships with people, culture, and the land. For over 65,000 years, Indigenous Australians thrived in harmony with diverse ecosystems, demonstrating a profound spiritual and practical bond with nature through sophisticated ecological knowledge and cultural practices.

    The arrival of European settlers in 1788 marked a pivotal moment in Australia’s history, initiating a period of profound and often devastating impacts on Indigenous communities. This era was characterised by widespread dispossession, the introduction of diseases to which Indigenous peoples had no immunity, and violent frontier conflicts. We will delve into the catastrophic effects of disease, the violent resistance and conflicts that ensued, and the enduring legacy of these early years of European settlement.

    This topic will also cover the subsequent policies of Protection and Assimilation, examining how these policies facilitated dispossession and control, resulting in significant cultural loss, intergenerational trauma, and ongoing social issues. We will discuss the resulting social, economic, and political challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and explore contemporary issues such as health disparities, educational challenges, and systemic biases, while celebrating the resilience and cultural revival within Indigenous communities.

    By the end of this topic, you will have gained a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary issues affecting Indigenous Australians and the importance of reconciliation, truth-telling, and shared efforts towards a more equitable and inclusive future.