1.2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture

                        Australia Day or Invasion Day?                                                       

I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Moomairemener people, the Traditional Owners of the land Lindisfarne Primary School stands on today, “who walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.”   

Dear parents/carers, this term we will be delving into the histories and cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These histories and cultures are important for all students to learn about because they are ingrained into our country in many ways.

The students will be beginning their research by looking at Australia Day, or as it is known to many Australians, Invasion Day. By looking at the information presented by both sides of the history books, students can cut through the bias and find their own opinions about the founding of Australia by the English. The reason that our students are taught about the histories and cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is because they are the true founders of this land. To learn about the foundation of our cultures and nation, students must look at more than just Captain Cook and his landing party, but at the history of the people who were already here.

As the students search through this information, they can see the causes and effects of the English, upon the Indigenous Australians. They are also able to see and try to understand the experiences of not only the First Fleet, but the experiences of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. By gaining these skills, students will have a better grasp of these in depth topics, and be better placed to understand and handle the distressing history of our nation, as they progress through their school years.

Using the information they have found, students will form groups and create arguments as to why they think Australia should or should not be moved to a different date. These arguments will be sensitively worded, so as not to offend anyone hearing or reading the arguments now, or at a later date. This will create the chance for the students to start a debate surrounding this topic, and will allow everyone to see the different pieces of information their peers have found and compiled into their own views.

For school to be fair for all, the curriculum that is provided to teachers must be relevant to all students and their lives, as well as to be able to address all contemporary issues facing them. The Australian government wants it communities and schools to recognise the damage and disrespect that took place in the past in regards to our Indigenous Australians, and to emphasis the strength of the Indigenous communities. Leaving this out of our curriculum, would be leaving out much of our country’s history.

If parents/carers have any questions, please feel free to email me, or set up a meeting.