Using First Nations Texts to bring empathy and understanding
Enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to weave through the narratives of our classrooms is an important step to creating connections and understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, experiences and diversity as we continue to journey towards a reconciled nation. The texts can also play a key part in supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority, which develops students’ knowledge of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
This session will provide insights, guidance and resources into embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice through a diverse range of texts to strengthen all areas of the English curriculum, along with how the school library needs to be a critical component in supporting students and staff in developing culturally safe and responsive competencies when engaging with literature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. During the session we will also touch on how to create culturally responsive practices when developing and maintaining your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection of texts and other resources in your context. With speakers from both primary and high school libraries as well as a publisher’s perspective on the latest resources, this topic is relevant for both primary and secondary Teacher Librarians and Library staff.
About Dr Lilly Brown
Dr Lilly Brown is an interdisciplinary educator, facilitator and researcher. With a Masters degree in education from the University of Cambridge and a doctorate in youth studies from the University of Melbourne, Lilly’s research has focused on the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations and other young people across Australia, particularly in education contexts. She is the CEO of Magabala Books, Australia’s leading Indigenous publishing house, which is focused on celebrating and nurturing the talent and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.
About Robyn Ellis
Robyn Ellis is a teacher librarian at Byron Bay High School in Northern NSW. Robyn worked with her colleague Eli Pietens to create a spine label system that elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in their school library. Their collaborative effort highlights the significant role of libraries in promoting cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in education.
About Sophie Partington
Sophie Partington is the Director of Library Services at PLC Sydney and has been an educator for over 22 years across multiple sectors, with a focus on primary school libraries. Sophie is the Kids Own Australian Literature Awards (K.O.A.L.A.) Council President. She is passionate about incorporating First Nations resources and language into classrooms, from the very start of schooling.
Suggested Standards addressed by this Online Meet-up
2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au
About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups
The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.
A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.
Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members. Non-members may access the meet-ups for $45 per session.
The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room.
Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.
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