Indigenous News
AEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy [2002] - Preamble:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Nations peoples of Australia, and as such, have a distinct and inalienable set of rights. The right to education is one of these.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are living cultures. Despite hundreds of years of systemic oppression, colonisation, and racism. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to maintain a connection to their lands and surrounding waters.
The AEU recognises that as a consequence of the process of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have come from a range of diverse circumstances, and have a range of knowledges and experiences in relation to their cultural backgrounds. Further, the AEU acknowledges that the education system has played a crucial role in the oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through the denial of opportunities, the reinforcement of racial stereotypes, the lowering of expectations and quality, the exclusion of participation, and the reinforcement of cultural and political values which are ultimately alien to the original inhabitants of this land.
The AEU is committed to rectifying this situation, through the implementation of this Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy.
For the full policy and a wide range of other resources go to the AEU Federal website - Indigenous Education: www.aeufederal.org.au/Atsi/index2.html#POL
2012 Reconciliation Awards
Nominations are invited for the 2012 AEU Reconciliation Awards. The Awards acknowledge and foster the good work of AEU members in furthering the aims of Reconciliation in public schools and TAFE centres. Download the Criteria and Eligibility details and Nomination Form here.
Acknowledgement of Country:
The AEU - ACT Branch commences all meetings with the following Acknowledgement of Country:
We respectfully acknowledge the Ngunnawal people who are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which this meeting takes place.
All AEU Sub-Branches are encouraged to use similar words at the commencement of Sub-Branch meetings. All members in public schools are encouraged to give an Acknowledgement of Country at school gatherings or arrange for a Ngunnawal Elder to conduct a Welcome to Country.
Welcome to Country:
The ACT Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs states:
"A Welcome to Country is where an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian or elder from the local area or region welcomes people to their land. this may be done through speech, song, dance or ceremony and has been part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocol for thousands of years.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols or customs in relation to Welcome to Country are diverse and will vary from region to region. Organising a Welcome to Country for your event shows respect for the traditional custodians of a particular region or area.
The ACT Government acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the ACT and surrounding areas.
The ACT Government encourages organisations and departments to invite a Ngunnawal elder to do a Welcome to Country at the opening of a meeting, launch, special event or official function."
How to Organise a Welcome to Country
The AEU Supports Dare to Lead
www.daretolead.edu.au
Dare to Lead schools make a commitment to improving the educational outcomes for Indigenous students and to ensuring that their communities, including students, staff and parents develop an informed understanding of Australia's Indigenous people and their cultures, and of the importance of the Reconciliation process.
Contact National Development Coordinator and ACT Development Coordinator Rod Little on telephone 0400 090 983 or email Rod.Little@pa.edu.au for further details.
AEU - ACT Branch Reconciliation Awards 2011
The Awards acknowledge and foster the good work of AEU members in furthering the aims of Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people through activities in public schools and TAFE centres.
The 2011 AEU Reconciliation Award ceremony took place during Reconciliation Week at Birrigai Outdoor School on 1 June 2011. Congratulations to the recipients of Certificates of Commendation:
Kate Waite, Alfred Deakin High School
Jodie White, Gilmore Primary School
Vivien Palmer, Richardson Primary School
Giralang Primary School Staff and Students
The 2011 recipient of the AEU Reconciliation Award is Patrick Chapman, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer, Melba Copland Secondary School. Congratulations Patrick!
2011 AEU Reconciliation Award Citation - Patrick Chapman
Useful Links:
Reconciliation Australia www.reconciliation.org.au
Including Reconciliation Week May 27 - June 3, and Reconciliation Action Plan information.
NAIDOC Week, early July www.naidoc.org.au
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
National Sorry Day 26 May www.nsdc.org.au
Includes Australian Schools National Sorry Day 26 May, Journey of Healing, Bringing Them Home Report.