Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, pedagogies and curriculum in Universities Prof. Jacinta Elston Sept 21, 2015

Establishing Reconciliation plans, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategies … and upholding UA CC & Behrendt Review The commitment has to be in the heart, not just the head of the university’s senior management From the top, through the top, from the bottom, through the bottom …. everyone’s business, no body gets let off Institutional readiness for Indigenous content in the curriculum

JCU experience Undergoing change management across organisational Structure since RAP vs Reconciliation statement … accountability, agreed actions, broad targets RAP situated within context of a broader Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy, as is Indigenous Employment Strategy, Indigenous Knowledges and Curriculum Framework, and Indigenous Research Plan … senior management accountability 2015 disestablishment of SIAS, evolution to a a new Model

‘Best Practice’ for engaging Indigenous perspectives, knowledges and pedagogies in curriculum? Not letting academics and professional staff of the hook … engage everyone in the story In the absence of discipline specific requirements, upholding UA cultural competency framework Deal with and call out racism when and where it happens Indigenous people leading and guiding the effort Eliza Glasson & Laree Verra, JCU Townsville Reconcilation Week 2015

Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributing together Walk the talk - demonstrate reconciliation in action Uphold & role model indigenous leadership and governance Normalize the requirement Not letting academics and professional staff of the hook … engage everyone in the story more than lip service Has to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (internally and externally) from missionaries, mercenaries or misfits

Is it more than graduate attributes?

Building real capacity to engage respectfully and appropriately with: Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, our communities and organisations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and affairs

Benefits to the professionals when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Benefits to the community: Receiving a more culturally appropriate service Being more comfortable in the presence of professional Obtaining a greater understanding of aims and background of programs, interventions and strategies Increase control and partnership Collaborative approaches to the best way to communicate and interact Exploring issues of cultural safety and barriers Gaining cultural insights about the community and client’s family background Collaborative determination of the appropriateness of using certain strategies, actions, assessments or interventions and/or the need to use alternative methods and culturally meaningful activities and objects Translation of cultural language

Real life engagement and experience … cultural immersion Principles of career long cultural practice A heart to continue to grow and develop in understanding professional practice but introduction of higher purpose Foster teaching practices that encourage:

Social Determinants of Health (WHO,2003) 1.Social Gradients 2.Stress 3.Early Life 4.Social exclusion 5.Work 6.Unemployment 7.Social Support 8.Addiction 9.Food 10.Transport Big issues: -Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rates -4 th world morbidity and mortality rates -Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child protection rates -Overcrowding -Educational disadvantage

Child protection

What are the issues for different disciplines? All graduates have to be aware of: The impact of Racism and the role they play as individual and professionals Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories The critical need for strategies that uphold and enhance self determination, community control and sovereignty of our people in their lands Make it relevant to disciplines work and impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities

How do we prepare our students to be inter-culturally competent professionals? Who can best judge … Time will tell …. reduced prison rates, increased educational outcomes, improved health, increased … improved ranking on the social determinants … more Indigenous engagement, stronger Indigenous governance For the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities do we have more missionaries, mercenaries, and misfits…. OR more partners in the struggle

Many of Australia’s leaders, VCs and the CEOs of the future Are in our Universities today!.