Education Between Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Australians.
Discuss if and how the area of education can contribute to achieve relationships between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians.
Education is among the most important factors in achieving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Through the incorporation of Indigenous Education in all schools, Australian children will have every opportunity to learn and understand Aboriginal issues and history, which will help eliminate naïve and stereotypical perceptions of Aboriginal Australians in the future. For relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to become a true reality a quality Aboriginal Education curriculum must be developed within Australian schools through the National Curriculum that is to be implemented in 2012. Such a curriculum must promote reconciliation, which would mean giving all students the opportunity to develope and sustain relationships between Indigenous and non Australians on a mutual and respectful basis (Reconciliation Australia, 2005-2011). Through quality education, relationships can one day be achieved, with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together cooperatively, to bridge the social and financial gaps that exist between the two. Education is paramount to this and will help to serve the best interest for all Australians. To be successful in building relationships, it is important for all to gain knowledge and understanding of the history of Indigenous Australians and their culture. Racism and misrepresentations are often bred by ignorance, yet with the right education, such attitudes can indeed be altered. For a quality curriculum to be successfully delivered in Australian schools, tertiary institutions must continue to focus on the education of future teachers in the field of Aboriginal Education.
Mick Dodson stated that: ‘If like me, you believe education is the principle pathway to reconciliation, you need to act on that belief’ (Dodson, Reconciliation Australia,
Education is among the most important factors in achieving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Through the incorporation of Indigenous Education in all schools, Australian children will have every opportunity to learn and understand Aboriginal issues and history, which will help eliminate naïve and stereotypical perceptions of Aboriginal Australians in the future. For relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to become a true reality a quality Aboriginal Education curriculum must be developed within Australian schools through the National Curriculum that is to be implemented in 2012. Such a curriculum must promote reconciliation, which would mean giving all students the opportunity to develope and sustain relationships between Indigenous and non Australians on a mutual and respectful basis (Reconciliation Australia, 2005-2011). Through quality education, relationships can one day be achieved, with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together cooperatively, to bridge the social and financial gaps that exist between the two. Education is paramount to this and will help to serve the best interest for all Australians. To be successful in building relationships, it is important for all to gain knowledge and understanding of the history of Indigenous Australians and their culture. Racism and misrepresentations are often bred by ignorance, yet with the right education, such attitudes can indeed be altered. For a quality curriculum to be successfully delivered in Australian schools, tertiary institutions must continue to focus on the education of future teachers in the field of Aboriginal Education.
Mick Dodson stated that: ‘If like me, you believe education is the principle pathway to reconciliation, you need to act on that belief’ (Dodson, Reconciliation Australia,
References: Author unknown, (2005-2011), Reconciliation Australia: Resources, http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/resources, Viewed on 17/10/11 Mooney, J & Craven, R.G, (2006), Reconciliation: Why we need to teach Teacher’s to teach Aboriginal Studies to all Australian students, University of Western Sydney, , Viewed on 17/10/11 Craven, R.G, (2002),Is the Dawn Breaking? The First Empirical Investigations of the Impact of Mandatory Aboriginal Studies Teacher Education Courses on Teachers’ Self-concepts and Other Desirable Outcomes, University of Western Sydney, , Viewed on 17/10/2011 Dodson, M, (2005-2011), Reconciliation Australia: Mick Dodson speaks at the National Press Club, < http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/latest/mick-dodson-speaks-at-the-national-press-club > Viewed on 19/10/11 Greenfield, M & Harrison, N, (date unknown), Relationship to place: Positioning aboriginal knowledge and perspectives in classroom pedagogies , Viewed on 18/10/11 Hunter, B.H. & Schwab, R.G. (2004), Practical reconciliation and recent trends in Indigenous education, The Australian National University , Viewed on 19/10/11 Author unknown, (2005), Teaching the Teachers Aboriginal Studies: Impact on Teaching, Australian Department of Education, Science and Training , p.14 and 15, Viewed on 18/10/2011