On Country Learning

Abstract

Colonial successes and the wealth gathered over centuries has benefited many, but it has also situated disregard, denial, and exploitation as primary to the epistemology of development. Thus, colonization is not a past doctrine; its violations and intrusions are embedded systematically in the assumptive framework of modern societies. Regardless of its power, colonialism is just one of many possible genres of social design. From an Indigenous Knowledge perspective, decolonizing social design commences with the interactions that result from building relationships with knowledge outside the human mind because Knowledge lives in Country and has partnered with human designers since the beginning.

Keywords:

• respectful design
• Indigenous Knowledge
• relational theory

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Uncle Charles Moran

Uncle Charles Moran is an Elder of the Bundjalung Nation. He has chaired both Boards and Advisory groups for a medical service, a housing co-operative, a national newspaper, an Elders’ corporation, and education groups from kindergarten to university level.

Uncle Greg Harrington

Uncle Greg Harrington is an Elder of the Bundjalung Nation and member of the Gnibi Wandarahn Elders’ Group who has spent his life serving his community. He has been integral to the successful development of the Southern Cross University Reconciliation Action Plan and the Widjabal/Wiyabal Dreaming Student Leadership Initiative.

Norm Sheehan

Professor Norm Sheehan is a Wiradjuri man born in Mudgee, NSW whose PhD was awarded the N.V. Varghese Prize for Comparative Education in 2004. He is currently Head of Gnibi Wandarahn School of Indigenous Knowledge at Southern Cross University.

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