Relationship to place: positioning Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives in classroom pedagogies

Abstract

This project is based on research conducted with 12 schools in New South Wales, Australia. It examines how each school incorporates Aboriginal perspectives in its Kindergarten to Year 6 program with a view to identifying quality practice. As we interviewed teachers in these schools, it became clear that there is considerable confusion over the difference between Aboriginal perspectives and Aboriginal knowledge with both concepts being used interchangeably to teach syllabus content and information about Aboriginal people. We endeavour to clarify these concepts and to suggest how teachers might incorporate Aboriginal knowledge in their programs, without recreating some of the stereotypical representations that are often an effect of current pedagogies.

Keywords:

• Aboriginal education
• Aboriginal knowledge
• Aboriginal perspectives
• best practice
• identity
• place

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate, New South Wales in the initial formulation of the project, along with the insightful comments from Louise Zarmati on a draft of this paper.