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Reconciliation: A resource guide

See also: Using feature films to support learning in Indigenous studies, perspectives, reconciliation and countering racism

Reconciliation and schools

Practical reconciliation and continuing disadvantage in Indigenous education
By any measure, Indigenous Australians remain severely disadvantaged, and poor educational attainment is the key barrier to sustainable improvements in their socioeconomic status.

Perspectives on reconciliation
Nina Burridge, Director, Institute of Aboriginal Studies and Research, Macquarie University
This paper is based on research on what Aboriginal and non Aboriginal educators are saying and doing about Aboriginal Reconciliation.

Reconciliation - Schools and real progress
Cheryl Vardon, Former Director-General of Education, Western Australia
Reconciliation is essential for the development of Australia as a nation, its citizenship and identity. Schools must play a key role in reconciliation by respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, accepting and including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories in Australian history and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights.

Had schools done this well in the past, I believe that Australia would already have negotiated an official treaty with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It would not be considered a radical idea causing discomfort for many non-Aboriginal Australians today.

Justice: out there and in schools
EQ Australia
Should a formal apology be offered to Aboriginal people on behalf of all Australians by the national government?

Reconciliation
Jackie Huggins, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia
Education is the key to reconciliation.

Lesson plans, teaching ideas and classroom resources

See NATSIEW Reconciliation activities.

Reconciliation
Racism no way
Students develop an understanding of issues involved in Reconciliation.

Reconciliation Journey
Racism no way
Students discuss issues concerning Reconciliation and ways that individuals, groups and communities can get involved. Students recognise the powerful energies and leadership that all young Australians can bring to the Reconciliation process.

Progress
Racism no way
Students research and sequence significant events in Australia's history and give examples of ways in which democracy in Australia continues to develop.

Student material
Reconciliation Australia
The material in this section is designed for students researching reconciliation.

Flynn's Grave: A story about a sacred rock and a grave
Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training
In this unit you will investigate a story about valuing our histories. This story is about the problems that can occur when groups of people have different priorities about the respect and protection of their histories and their heritage. The events in this unit highlight the pain caused to several groups of people in Central Australia in connection with the grave of the Reverend John Flynn, at Mount Gillen, near Alice Springs. The concerns of fourteen different groups and individuals had to be considered. These included three groups of Indigenous peoples, as well as a number of government agencies, independent organisations, church agencies and individuals. The problem was eventually solved in a most interesting and creative way and raises some important questions about history and Reconciliation.

Teachers and Students: What you can do...
Queensland Government
Reconciliation is an issue for everyone. We can all work towards reconciliation and share in the rewards of a rich multicultural society and a united vision for the future.

Reconciliation strategies from Melvin Chesser’s class, Allendale East Area School, year 8
‘Students develop research and social skills that promote recognition and appreciation of the heritage of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other groups. They develop the capacities to identify and counter prejudice and contribute to Reconciliation.’

Teachers' resources on peace and reconciliation
These resources explore peace and reconciliation in Australia and around the world through a range of case studies and classroom activities.

• Primary years
  
• Middle years

• Reconciliation ideas to adapt for early years
  
• A comprehensive unit to adapt for early, primary or middle years
  
• A year 8 strategy from a school with no Aboriginal students
  
• Reconciliation ideas for Aboriginal schools
  
• Ideas from several pre-school to high school educators
  
• Ideas shared from educators at 2002 AEU Reconciliation Conference

Reconciliation
Aboriginal Education, South Australia
Reconciliation statements, dates, advice, activities (including 'Reconciliation ideas for Aboriginal schools' (Word document)) and useful links.

Commercial resources

Reconciliation: Stories of the Heart, Sounds of the Rock CD
A soundscape of music and words, featuring music from Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists including Midnight Oil, Wendy Matthews, Yothu Yindi and Paul Kelly. Free accompanying study guide can be downloaded.

Reconciliation Program
Scholastic Australia
Reconciliation clearly interprets difficult concepts and areas, provides teachers with a variety of high quality and supportive resources, represents contested subjects with balance and structure and incorporates innovative pedagogical features.

Towards Aboriginal Reconciliation
A set of three books (junior, middle and upper primary) containing language activities to develop skills and knowledge of issues on Aboriginal reconciliation.

School case studies

Case studies
Discovering Democracy
In 2001 the Discovering Democracy School Materials Project began to develop case studies of good civics education practice for the Discovering Democracy website. The aim of the case studies is to demonstrate innovative approaches to civics education in school settings with significant indigenous student populations.

Schools showcase their reconciliation activities
Institute of Aboriginal Studies and Research, Macquarie University

Reconciliation - Learning Together at Jervis Bay School
This site uses the school and students work as a focal point for reconciliation within a unique and diverse community.

Reconciliation in an environment of education
Over the past few years Rosebank Public School has introduced programmes to promote the process of Aboriginal Reconciliation within the school and community.

Teaching for Reconciliation: A Primary Schools Reconciliation Program
Graham Spindler
This paper describes a program entitled Steps to Reconciliation conducted in a number of Sydney Primary schools in May 2000 and culminating in a convention for primary school students at the Parliament of New South Wales.

A Nobel cause: Peacemaking in Colombia
Mayerly Sanchez, a teenager from Colombia, co-leads a national peace-building movement which has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize.

Organisations

'Nallawa' Achieving Reconciliation in NSW Schools
Describes the school or community work being done by The Institute of Aboriginal Studies and Research, Macquarie University in relation to reconciliation. Includes essays, images of reconciliation and school showcases of reconciliation activities.

PALS School Reconciliation Awards
Department of Indigenous Affairs, Government of Western Australian
Aimed at Western Australian school children, aged five to 16, the Awards reinforce the State Government's commitment to promoting Reconciliation through education.

The PALS 'Schools Reconciliation Awards' challenges students to improve their knowledge and understanding of Reconciliation issues by creating an activity either in their classroom or for their local community.

These Awards provide an opportunity for school-aged children to make a real difference to Reconciliation in their community, building self-esteem and self-confidence both in individuals and the community.

NSW Reconciliation Council Website
NSW the website has extensive details of over 60 city, suburban and regional reconciliation groups.

Reconciliation Victoria
Reconciliation Victoria seeks to encourage active appreciation of and participation in the advancement of Reconciliation between all Victorians.

ReconciliACTION Network
The ReconciliACTION Network (RAN) is a network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young Australians from metropolitan, regional and rural Australia, which aims to encourage more young people to become active in the Reconciliation movement, and to support young people who are working to overcome racism in their communities.

Croc Festival
As part of it's goals Croc fest seeks to contribute to the reconciliation process within Indigenous communities and between all Australians, to help students learn to acknowledge each other as individuals and respect for their differences and to recognise that students are the focus of the event and that fairness and virtue are integral to having fun.