Aspects of Aboriginal Education

Connecting to Community

Prologue

This is a reflection of over 30 years’ practice working with Aboriginal people and Education.It is one person’s experiences in one place with one community in one timeframe. It is not the fount of all knowledge!It is written by a non-Indigenous person for both non-Indigenous and Indigenous learners.Other experiences are just as valid and just as valuable.

Connecting with CommunityPersonal Aspects

Join local organisations e.g. AECG, community support groups (Woomera in Albury).

Contact Elders, Aboriginal workers in your school, Land Council etc.

Consult Community at all levels ofPLANNING DELIVERY REFLECTION

Connecting to CommunityPersonal Aspects cont

Attend local functions and/or sports events, BBQs, celebrations e.g Bogong Moth Festival

Attend and support NAIDOC Week

Find a mentor if possible

Connecting to CommunityPersonal Aspects cont

Prepare to be wrong sometimes (or often!)

Reflect on your “whiteness” if non Indigenous

Have a sense of humour

Remember that Indigenous people can get tired of being “the Authority” on Indigenous matters

Remember personal relationships are vital

Connecting with Community Professional Aspects

Be aware of and avoid Community politics

Listen, look, reflect

Use the “Mmm” word often, especially in the early days

Allow a space for different values, attitudes and beliefs (can be challenging at first)

Connecting with Community Professional Aspect cont

Learn about the culture and history of your area from the Indigenous people to get their perspectives

Learn about Community interrelationships/tensions without involvement

Join professional Associations e.g. Aboriginal Studies Association ($20.00 for students)

Connecting with Community Professional Aspects cont

Seek out Indigenous professionals in areas where you need advice e.g. Health, Docs

Learn from experienced and successful non Indigenous colleagues

Update your reading and Policy understandings especially with a change in Federal Government

Connecting with CommunityOther Reasons

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTMAKE NEW LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS DEVELOP AS A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER DEVELOP

AS A WHOLE PERSONCONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGELEARN A NEW WORLD VIEWHAVE FUN

Connecting with Community

Building genuine relationships takes time; baby steps

Achieving positive change takes time

Closing the gap will take time

Learning a different world view takes timeSO……

On this journey you will develop:Teaching SkillsPatienceResilienceA broader sense of communityA broad sense of humourA strong sense of connection to the Indigenous world

Connecting with CommunityREFERENCES

Nancy Rooke, Wiradjuri Elder from Narrandera, my mentor. Ally Coe, Bill Powell, Pastor Grant, Ollie Patten, Greg Murray, Valda Murray, Richard Kennedy, Liz Heta and so many other community leaders, workers and elders.The women and men from our courses at TAFE who taught me more than I taught them.We’re A Mixed Mob Colleen Keenan Uni SA 2000http://newcatalogue.library.unisa.edu.au/vufind/Record/336002/Details