Advocating for Aboriginal Education
Last week I sat down for a yarn with the host of WinewithTeacher podcast, Ceri. It was a follow-up to the article about Wingaru and our philosophy that was included in issue 10 of Wine with Teacher magazine which focuses on elevating Aboriginal voices in the education space.
Ceri is one of those people that is always so amazing to have a yarn with. She is so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and open to hearing what other people have to say that you instantly feel at ease and the conversation just flows. It was such a great experience and as I reflect on the being part of the Wine with Teacher community, I realise that the experience wasn’t great just because I think Ceri is deadly. It was great because Ceri is an amazing ally and advocate for Aboriginal education. She has worked with mob to create genuine space for Aboriginal voices in the education space and openly given her platforms to amplify our voices and support us in our work to advocate for strong Aboriginal education approaches that are First-Nations led. The Wine with Teacher community is full of amazing teachers who are actively supporting other teachers, sharing knowledge and open to learning.
Great allies, like Ceri and so many of the amazing teachers I get to work with each day, are so important as we embrace initiatives that strengthen Aboriginal education in this country. Often when I speak with teachers, they are unsure of where they fit in Aboriginal education. They ask about the role they should take and how they can be an ally and make an impact in an authentic and culturally appropriate way. The fact they ask the question is in itself a strong start – genuine listening and consultation with First Nations communities is an important part of being a strong ally.
I have thought a lot about the strong allies that I have been getting to know in the teaching world and they all have a few things in common.
They are open to learning and comfortable asking for help when they are unsure of their approach – We are asking teachers to teach something that they themselves are still learning. Be open to learning more in the space and ensuring that your knowledge comes from a First Nations source. Choose First Nations-led PD, read books from First Nations authors and follow First Nations educators on social media. Reach out to your contacts if you are unsure or want to bounce an idea around – most people are happy to help.
They are committed to regular inclusion of First Nations content in their programs and seek opportunities to include learning opportunities for their students – The most important thing a teacher can do in being an ally is to share information about our mob and culture to showcase our strengths, challenge the bias and shine light on the truth about our history. Knowledge builds, so every inclusion counts. Every conversation you have with your students contributes to change and every truth shared in a classroom is a building block in a better future. Someone who does this very well is Mr J. He is so committed and genuine in his inclusions and takes every opportunity to embed content. An example of this is the recent Heal Country Challenge – Mr J not only completed the Challenge in term 3, sharing his journey, but has continued the learning this term with a Heal Country wall in his classroom.
They value and prioritise First Nation voices in Aboriginal education and support First Nations people working in the space – This is about choosing authentic Aboriginal-led resources, connecting with your local community, providing opportunities for your Aboriginal families to have a voice in your school and supporting Aboriginal educators to be heard. It may not feel like it to you but the simple act of sharing a story, making an introduction or reaching out with a message of support can go a long way in supporting First Nations people – there hasn’t always been space for us and our voice hasn’t always been welcome and it is really nice to be supported and know that we are making impact. It also starts important relationships and collaborations that strengthen Aboriginal education which can only be a good thing, right?
Being an advocate and ally looks different for everyone but embracing these 3 attributes or behaviours will ensure you are supporting change and having positive impact.
