Relating to the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and issues in the curriculum.
The first ports of call for your work in this area are the policy which operates in your jurisdiction and the primary resources provided for direction and support. Individual independent schools may have their own policies related to these matters.
If there are no resources specifically designed for your sector, you might access some of those referred to here.
Australian Capital Territory
Government sector
At present the Aboriginal Education and Torres Strait Islander Education Curriculum Support Paper (1997, distributed to all schools) remains the appropriate reference point for both policy and support. This may alter at the conclusion of current discussion regarding the structure and content of the ACT curriculum.
Attention is drawn to the resource collection at the Centre at Mawson.
Catholic sector
The Aboriginal Education policy is currently being rewritten, but is likely to contain references relevant to these matters.
New South Wales
Government sector
The current guiding policy is the Aboriginal Education Policy (1996). The relevant section can be found under 'All DSE staff and students will have knowledge and understanding and respect for Aboriginal Australia'. Copies are in wide circulation or available from the Department's website.
The key resource document, Aboriginal Education K-12 Resource Guide (2003), has been distributed to all schools.
Catholic sector
While there is no explicit general policy governing the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the curriculum, individual Dioceses may have one. Schools are encouraged in this direction through their IESIP accountability statements.
Indigenous Education Advisors located at Diocesan offices can provide resource support.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) provides both the policy position and the key resource document in this regard for NT schools.
In addition to inclusion in both the Indigenous Languages and Culture component and the Indigenous Studies element of the SOSE learning area, Indigenous perspectives are embedded across all other learning areas of the NTCF.
Queensland
Catholic sector
An element of QCEC policy which applies generally is related to early childhood education, and can be found under 'Curriculum' in the Position Statement on the Education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 0-8 years old in Catholic settings on the QCEC website.
However many Diocesan offices are developing policy and resources for the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in Key Learning Areas. For information contact the Indigenous Education Coordinator of your Diocesan Office.
South Australia
The SACSA Framework (2001) states:
The SACSA Framework is being implemented during a unique and significant period of Reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and other Australians. The SACSA Framework consciously and systematically reflects this moment in time by requiring all educators to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives (p. 20).
This applies to all schools whose curriculum is governed by the Framework.
Support for this process can be found at www.sacsa.sa.edu.au/index_fsrc.asp?t=ECCP. Go to Aboriginal/Anangu Education >Aboriginal Perspectives.
Government sector
A key resource is Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum (DECS, 1996) augmented by resources and suggested topics found on the Aboriginal Education website: www.aboriginaleducation.sa.edu.au/pages/Educators.
Catholic sector
The Indigenous Education Policy (revised 1998 and currently under further consideration) provides the relevant policy direction. Indigenous Education officers will be pleased to support this process.
Tasmania
Government sector
TASAPAC: Aboriginal Perspectives Across The Curriculum (Tasmanian edition) remains valuable. However the Aboriginal Education Unit would like to see its staff and resource centre as the key resources for this work.
Gumnuts and Buttons and On the Track are other available resources.
Catholic sector
The relevant policy document is Aboriginal Education Program: Statement of Structure and Purpose, 2002-04 which can be found on the Catholic Education Tasmania website.
The key resource is the Aboriginal Studies Resource Teachers contactable via the Catholic Education Office.
Victoria
Catholic sector
The governing policy is Principles for the Introduction of Aboriginal Perspectives in the Curriculum of the Catholic School (See CECV website>Policies and Publications> Policies>1.3).
Key resources are:
Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum: A Teacher Resource for Primary Classrooms (CECV), and Koorie Studies in SOSE: Years 7 to 10.
Western Australia
Government sector
Operational policy requires schools to address this issue in their planning processes.
Key resources are:
Aboriginal Studies Curriculum: A Teachers' Guide for Western Australian Primary Schools
Aboriginal Studies Curriculum: A Teachers' Guide for Western Australian Secondary Schools
In addition the Department's website (at www.eddept.wa.edu.au/abled/resources.htm) contains Famous Aboriginal People, NAIDOC Ideas, and Reconciliation Strategy.
A support document relating to incorporating Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum is in development and will become available in 2005.
Catholic sector
The relevant policy is contained in Aboriginal Education Policy (revised 2000, see especially under 'Procedures') accessible through the CECWA website (got to CEC>Policy Statements>).
The major resource document for a number of years has been Aboriginal Studies across the Curriculum (CECWA). This is currently being updated in conformity with the new Curriculum Framework. A draft will be in circulation by mid-year (2004) and published towards the year's end.
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