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Published: Monday, 02 January 2023

ethos 2022 4

Changemakers, Yoorrook and Civics and Citizenship

Featured to Ethos, vol. 30, no.1, 2022 – 'Voices, Treaties and Truth'.

The tension between curriculum and substantive First Peoples’ perspectives are sensitively navigated in this incredible civics resource that may have passed you by, we’ve been busy- if you’re teaching contemporary First Nations’ perspectives this is gold. Written by Worawa Aboriginal College and Parliament of Victoria, the Aboriginal Change Makers resource helps navigate the tensions of curriculum and First Peoples’ perspectives through telling the stories of significant people who have helped shaped Victoria through advocating for the rights of Aboriginal Peoples.

 “The Aboriginal Change Makers gives ‘voice’ to the stories, remembrances and experiences of people who worked tirelessly to bring about change in the lives of Aboriginal people. These people were brave; willingly risking their own safety and comfort to liberate our people … My hope is that those who engage with this material will gain an understanding of their own perspective, a deeper appreciation of the incredible riches of Aboriginal Cultures and recognition of the impact of colonialism on this land.”

Dr Lois Peeler AM, Executive Director and Principal of Worawa Aboriginal College

“The Aboriginal Change Makers gives ‘voice’ to the stories, remembrances and experiences of people who worked tirelessly to bring about change in the lives of Aboriginal people. These people were brave; willingly risking their own safety and comfort to liberate our people … My hope is that those who engage with this material will gain an understanding of their own perspective, a deeper appreciation of the incredible riches of Aboriginal Cultures and recognition of the impact of colonialism on this land.” Dr Lois Peeler AM, Executive Director and Principal of Worawa Aboriginal College If you’re teaching 7-10 Civics and Citizenship which is mandatory in the Victorian Curriculum, so, we know you are) – this resource is aimed at you! It provides so much incredible background on the 1967 referendum, the day of mourning, what goes into Treaty movements – so students can make sense of and contextualise the campaign for the Uluru statement from the heart. One of the gifts from this resource is the Hyllus Maris’ poetry and her profile as an Aboriginal Sociologist conducting culturally responsive research (which I can see being useful for teachers of integrated Humanities and English ‘Inquiry’ subjects or for Year 12 Sociology).

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If you are teaching History (Rights and Freedoms) or Civics and Citizenship, the profiles and images would be great as a point of departure for students to create profiles of Indigenous activists or to add texture to courses exploring the 1967 Referendum, Aboriginal Day of Mourning or the Cummeragunja Walkout. Knowing that timelines of suppression policies and resistance to these are a common ‘way in’ to Australian Indigenous Culture(s) in VCE Sociology Unit 3. The resource is indexed by Change Maker stories, themes, significant moments and places, and policies and laws. There are also plenty of additional links to other resources. So, no matter what your focus, there is plenty of material to build knowledge, confidence and understanding, and stimulate meaningful discussion about the importance of the Change Makers before, during and after the Aboriginal Civil Rights movement. The resource is an excellent complement to some of the contemporary responses to historical suppression that students explore in VCE Sociology. For example, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have created an accessible information pack about the new Treaty authority, which, alongside the Yoorrook Justice Commission represent some of the tangible steps being taken in Victoria to fulfill the demands of the Uluru Statement from the Heart of Voice, Treaty and Truth.

There are also a range of education resources available to support the teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that are well worth a look, even if you don’t have any students in your class who you know identify as First Nations. Wayipunga is a youth participation framework produced by the Koori Youth Council. The framework provides strategies to support young peoples’ participation in decision-making processes. The three interrelated sections—Values, Knowledge and Actions— are designed to guide everyday practices associated with engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and therefore a great resource for thinking about our own teaching practices. The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI) has resources to support schools teaching Koorie students, including supporting the delivery of quality education programs and respecting Koorie culture. They have a really comprehensive Koorie education calendar which links to lots of resources, days of importance and cultural protocols.

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