Reconciliation Action Plan News
Mrs Bridget Jenkins
Relationships in the Classroom - Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
The palawa pakana peoples of lutriwita trowunna Tasmania have used wallaby and possum skins for thousands of years, as a shawl or cape, as bedding and also in ceremony. They were used as decorative items as well as a practical piece of clothing and many had significant status within the clans and nations.
Mr Mark 'Bushy' Smith demonstrating the art of preparing wallaby hide for tanning
Mr Mark 'Bushy' Smith demonstrating the art of preparing wallaby hide for tanning
Every year as part of our Belonging Pathways Programme for our Year 7 and Year 8 Aboriginal students, the process of tanning a wallaby or possum hide is demonstrated and practiced so that each boy can learn this skill and help to produce their own pelt. Each student then has the choice to keep his wallaby as a unique blanket or work on it further to create designs on the skin or fashion it into a cloak, cape or garment.
Under the expert teaching of Mark 'Bushy' Smith the Year 7 and Year 8 boys have begun this exciting project and now have the chance to bring some personal cultural perspectives to their final product from learnings and conversations with young palawa scientist Jamie Graham Blair.
