first nations education

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“How we talk about reconciliation is just as important as the actions we take.  Language itself is active. It impacts attitudes, understandings and relationships in a very real sense. Using respectful and inclusive language and terminology is an essential part of reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. Consider this guide with advice from your local community. This may help you prepare your written messages, such as your Vision for Reconciliation and Acknowledgement of Country, as well as in everyday communications.” 

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority provides opportunities for all students to deepen their knowledge of Australia by learning about the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.”

“The aim of Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Framework for Australia is to support early childhood providers, teachers and educators to extend and enrich children’s learning from birth to 5 years and through the transition to school.”

“The Guide assists non-Indigenous educators, and others to critically self-reflect on history and the effects that this has on pedagogical practises today.  It allows teachers to ensure curriculum resources selected for teaching do not cause harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, but rather foster trust and build a sense of pride for all.”

“These resources build your awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions. Doing these professional learning activities helps you deliver your Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions. The activities are teacher-led. You can use them solo, in small groups or during staff meetings.”

“We are working towards a vision for an education system that is more culturally inclusive and responsive, and that values and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and living cultures.  

To begin your professional learning, you might like to access the intercultural development self-reflection tool as a starting point, then explore the intercultural development continuum and intercultural development capability framework for more information.”

“The Spoke is Early Childhood’s Australia’s blog, publishing articles by Australia’s leading policy makers, academics, experts and leaders and early childhood practitioners.

The Spoke is an extensive source of articles on early childhood research, policy and practice.”

"The ‘Strong and Smart’ approach, developed by Dr Chris Sarra at Cherbourg State School, is now used in schools across the country to embrace a strong and positive sense of what it means to be Aboriginal in contemporary Australian society...

Our role is to work with educators to improve the educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and beyond them, all Australian school children. We want to see every child succeeding in a Stronger Smarter classroom."

“Reconciliation Australia is the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. We inspire and build relationships, respect and trust between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.”

Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to develop environments that foster a high level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. The Narragunnawali online platform is free to access and provides practical ways to introduce meaningful reconciliation initiatives in the classroom, around the school and with the community. Through the Narragunnawali platform, schools and early learning services can develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and a suite of professional learning and curriculum resources are available to support the implementation of reconciliation initiatives.

"New research from the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research and Diversity Council Australia is speaking truth to Australian employers about the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Gari Yala, which means ‘speak the truth’ in the Wiradjuri language, is based on a survey 1,033 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers across Australia and reveals some shocking realities about experiences of racism, the lack of cultural safety and identity strain experienced by Indigenous people across Australian workplaces.

The report reveals that Indigenous employees continue to experience significant workplace racism and exclusion and that racism is impacting wellbeing and job satisfaction."

ACECQA Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority 

ACARA Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority

AERO Australian Education Research Organisation

AITSL Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership

NIYEC National Indigenous Youth Education Council

AIATSIS Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

SNAICC Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care

“Inclusive language is a way of acknowledging and respecting the diversity of bodies, genders and relationships. People express their gender and sexuality in different ways. People can have different biological sex characteristics. Inclusive language ensures we don’t leave people out of our conversations or our work.”

"The gender binary, like many colonial acts, remains trapped within socio-religious ideals of colonisation that then frame ongoing relationships and restrict the existence of Indigenous peoples... This article focuses on why these colonial practices were deemed necessary at the time of invasion, and how they continue to be forcefully applied in managing Indigenous peoples into a colonial structure of family, gender, and everything else."

“All Of Us empowers Australian teachers to easily discuss gender diversity, sexual diversity and intersex topics in the classroom.

Building empathy through real life experiences of LGBTI young people through lesson plans and short videos that are aligned to the Year 7/8 Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum.

This free resource allows all schools, regardless of experience, location or funding, the chance to create safe and supportive environments.”

“ONLINE ACTIVITY: A GUIDE TO PRONOUNS. A video guide to pronouns, what they are, and why they matter.”

Resources to support LGBTQIA+ young people

"Working towards a world where trans, gender diverse and non-binary children are embraced and given every opportunity to thrive and flourish."