First Nations News

Ancient Australia for our Year 7 History students

Starting in 2023, Aitken College History students have been learning about Ancient Australia and First Nations Australia. They delve into the rock art, specifically the sacred Wandjina rock art at Banchsten Creek in West Kimberley (Western Australia).

The Wandjina are ancestral beings of the Kimberley region. They are known to as the bringers of rain, who made and controlled the weather and fertility. Some Indigenous Australians believe these Wandjina figures were painted by the Wondjinas, prehistoric inhabitants of the Kimberley region, which is the only area where Wandjina style rock art has been found.

First Nations in the news

Indigenous elder says backlash in Queensland after failed Voice referendum greater than expected

Indigenous elder Mick Gooda expressed surprise at the heightened backlash in Queensland following the failed Voice referendum. He was particularly taken aback by the LNP opposition's decision to withdraw support for truth-telling and the treaty process post-referendum. Gooda is a member of Queensland's Interim Truth and Treaty Body and expressed initial concern when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated a treaty might not be feasible without bipartisan support. However, he feels reassured after further clarification from the Premier. Despite the referendum's outcome, the Queensland government plans to establish a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry and a First Nations Treaty Institute before the next state election. Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli believes the strong No vote in the referendum indicates a need for alternative solutions for Indigenous communities. Ian Leavers, head of Queensland's Police Union, controversially labelled the truth and treaty process as 'woke' and suggested it might exacerbate crime. While the Premier rejected these views, Crisafulli's response was muted. Artist Fiona Foley emphasises the importance of truth-telling in understanding Australia's history, referencing her artwork that highlights massacre sites in Queensland. Gooda is concerned that the referendum might have had negative consequences.

First Nations community opportunities/events/exhibitions happening locally (see Hume City council, Koorie Heritage trust, VAEAI, Wurundjeri Corp, Narragunnawali, or anywhere else you know of!)

Touring Exhibition: Layers of Blak

Koorie Heritage Trust is proud to present Layers of Blak, a touring exhibition supported by Creative Victoria’s ‘Touring Victoria’ initiative.

Layers of Blak celebrates the creative outcome of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s highly successful Blak Design Program.

Participating First Peoples designers are: Thelma Austin (Gunditjmara), Mandi Barton (Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wemba Wemba), Lorraine Brigdale (Yorta Yorta), Nikki Browne (Bidjara), Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung), Tammy Gilson (Wadawurrung), Elijah Money (Wiradjuri), Yasmin Silveira (Palawa), Sammy Trist (Taungurung), Dominic White (Palawa) and Tracy Wise (Barkindji Ngiyampaa Maligundidj).

Art Gallery of Ballarat, 9 Dec 2023 – 10 Mar 2024
Gippsland Art Gallery, 15 June – 25 Aug 2024

https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/whats-on/exhibitions/layers-of-blak/