Overview
Academic contacts
Offerings
Enrolment rules
Other learning activities
Learning activities
Learning outcomes
Geniny kura, yeye, boorda: Demonstrate an understanding of the history of ‘interventions’ into and alliances with Aboriginal communities since colonisation.
Daat nyininy (quietly sit) boodja (country) boodier (bosses): Sit down with Aboriginal scholars and practitioners and listen to accounts about how to work respectfully with Aboriginal communities.
Kooranyak (stand back) ni (listen deeply): Demonstrate how to stand back and listen deeply, understand Aboriginal knowledge systems and build ethical practices to work in conjunction with Aboriginal groups.
Munany (step aside) yelakitj (wait) dalanginy (following): Be able to assess and make judgments about when to step aside, take direction and act as useful allies to Aboriginal leaders and organisations.
Koorliny (coming) wort koorliny (going) – Gain experience in moving in and out of communities.
Birnany katatjin (understanding Aboriginal ontological and ethical practice) – Learn about and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of some of the conceptual foundations in Aboriginal knowledge systems.
Nidja katitjin, gnulla moort boodjar baal boordier (the story of family, country and law): Demonstrate an understanding of the critical connections between country, kin, story and knowledge.
Assessments
Additional information
The history of attempts by outsiders to work with Aboriginal communities is vexed. In part this is because too often there is little investment in building sophisticated skills, knowledge and language by those doing this work. On the other hand there are many remarkable examples of ’success’, particularly when 1) local Aboriginal people, culture and practices have been central in the design and delivery of projects and 2) outsiders are highly skilled and capable. The unit is designed for people who want to contribute to healthy and successful work with Aboriginal communities.tudents to ideas and practices that foster the clear thinking, relational maturity and ethical strength required when working with others locally or internationally, in community-based settings, in government, business and many other contexts.
The unit draws on a variety of knowledge traditions, beginning with Noongar katitj (Noongar knowledge systems) and involves Aboriginal experts from a range of areas offering their insights and knowledge about how outsiders can prepare themselves for working respectfully with Aboriginal communities. Being grounded in Noongar katatjin this unit will equip students to understand how to come into other Aboriginal communities, with their own languages, cultures and rules, social relationships and ecological contexts.