Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' Histories and Culture

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has outlined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures as one of the Cross Curricular Priorities (CCP). ACARA aims to teach students an appreciation for the Aboriginal heritage of Australia, including the concepts of Country and Place, People, Identity and Culture. (ACARA, 2011) It states that it wishes to -

"...ensure that all young Australians will be given the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, their significance for Australia and the impact these have had, and continue to have, on our world." (ACARA, 2010, p20)

By teaching the principles of Aboriginal culture, such as caring for their country and for each other and learning lessons from the past, it is hoped that students will gain an understanding and respect for Australia's Aboriginal heritage.

Geographical activities could include looking at Aboriginal sacred grounds, and looking also at areas that have been developed against their will. It is important to emphasise the connection that Aborigines have with their land, in so doing, students will learn to identify with the cultural importance of preserving Aboriginal inheritance. Lessons could also look at the land and how that defines its people - comparing the differences between the Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals according to what land they are associated with and how long they'd been there. This allows students to become more familiar with the CCPs whilst they learn geographical skills.

References - 
Satour, T. (2012, September 23). Cultural Awareness Training [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZNDL37X_qE


Australian Government. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2010). The Shape of the Australian Curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum.pdf

Australian Government. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reorting Authority. (2011). Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Geography. Retrieved from http://chc.moodle.com.au/pluginfile.php/22728/mod_resource/content/0/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum_Geography-1.pdf