Cultural Inclusion Overview for Semester 2,2022

Cultural Inclusion overview for Semester Two, 2022

Our students at DCC have continued to have their curriculum enhanced by the cultural inclusion program. Prep students have learnt about how Indigenous people use storytelling to describe the creation of land and country and also learnt about the wildlife that was around Truganina before European arrival. We read the Zoo’s Victoria story on Hope the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and learnt about the zoo’s breading program to save the creature from extinction.

Year one and two classes discovered the correct Aboriginal naming of the Yarra River (Birrarung), heard the Wilum (home) story of the river’s journey from the Yarra ranges to the ocean, learnt the indigenous Woi Warrung language names for many of the animals along the river and created beautiful artwork to accompany this understanding. In term four they explored the seven seasons used by Victorian Aboriginals. These seasons indicated hunting and harvesting periods and were noted by changes in weather, animal behaviour and plant life cycles.

How do Aboriginal people navigate through the harsh arid outback of Australia and find water? This was the theme of year three and four programs. Students learnt about the methods that people would use to find water by observing landscape features and developing waterhole markings through country. Students then completed a mapping task in their inquiry books and developed their own written stories of travelling though country. In term four students learnt about Indigenous Protected Land and the importance of Aboriginal connection to the earth via land and water management. They then explored the traditional Rainbow Serpent stories which reinforced the use of water sources such as billabongs, creeks and rivers in Indigenous storytelling.

Year five and six students developed an understanding of what indigenous people would have eaten before Europeans arrived in Australia by hearing Aboriginal people discuss how the Australian bush provided a nutritious and healthy diet for their people. They then studied what bush herbs and spices can be used in everyday foods that are regularly eaten. In term four the program focused on learning about the important story of Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. They learnt about the highs of his success in the artworld, national fame and gaining of Australian citizenship, but were also exposed to the racist government policies Namatjira had to confront during his lifetime.

You can see some of the amazing work produced by students over this semester’s cultural inclusion classes below. Thank you to all the Dohertys Creek students asking awesome questions about Aboriginal people, history and culture during our classes. I am always amazed at the depth of thinking and discussions our students have during our programs and know that they will leave the school with a strong empathy and care of Indigenous values and beliefs.