An Aboriginal way towards curriculum reconciliation

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces the context and design of an institutional educational development grants program, Jindaola, which reflects an Aboriginal way towards reconciling Indigenous and non-Indigenous Knowledges in the Australian higher education curriculum. The program is unique in two ways: it foregrounds the voice of Aboriginal local Knowledge Holders in the design and implementation of the program; and, rather than focussing on embedding predefined ‘packages’ of Indigenous Knowledges and pedagogies into curricula, the approach adheres to Aboriginal methods for conducting business and maintaining knowledge integrity, by taking interdisciplinary teams of academics on a journey towards what we are calling ‘curriculum reconciliation’.

KEYWORDS:

• Cross-cultural competence
• curriculum development
• Indigenous Knowledges
• professional development

Note

1. The University of Wollongong (UOW) has campuses at Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega, Moss Vale, Loftus, Circular Quay, and Liverpool. In this paper, and respecting cultural practices across these educational centres, we have used the term Aboriginal with explicit reference and relevance to mainland Aboriginal peoples of the South East of Australia. Where, on occasion, the usual attached reference to Torres Strait Islanders is not used, this is not in any way meant as a sign of disrespect or exclusion, but rather for the purposes of being inclusive and representative of the regions UOW has relationships with Aboriginal Australia and Country.

Acknowledgments

We would like thank the Editor and Reviewers for the time and consideration they have given to this manuscript. The feedback, constructive criticism, and encouragement have genuinely improved the quality of our thinking, writing, and confidence in how we frame and convey the values and intentions of this approach.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jade Kennedy

Jade Kennedy is a Yuin man and Knowledge Holder from the Illawarra and South Coast of NSW, a lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges at the University of Wollongong, Australia, and co-lead of the Jindaola program.

Lisa Thomas

Lisa Thomas is a senior lecturer in the School of Education and co-lead of the Jindaola program at the University of Wollongong.

Alisa Percy

Alisa Percy is a senior lecturer in Academic Development at the University of Wollongong and a member of the Jindaola program and research team.

Bonnie Dean

Bonnie Dean is a senior lecturer and curriculum manager in the School of Nursing at the University of Wollongong and a member of the Jindaola program and research team.

Janine Delahunty

Janine Delahunty is a lecturer in Academic Development at the University of Wollongong and a member of the Jindaola program and research team.

Kathryn Harden-Thew

Kathryn Harden-Thew is a lecturer in Academic Development at the University of Wollongong and a member of the Jindaola program and research team.

Maarten de Laat

Maarten de Laat is a Professsor in the School of Education and former Director of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum at the University of Wollongong.