1. Aspects of Aboriginal Education Connecting to Community

2. Prologue This is a reflection of over 30 years’ practice working with Aboriginal people and Education. It is one person’s experiences in one place with one community in one timeframe. It is not the fount of all knowledge! It is written by a non-Indigenous person for both non- Indigenous and Indigenous learners. Other experiences are just as valid and just as valuable.

3. Connecting with Community Personal Aspects  Join local organisations e.g. AECG, community support groups (Woomera in Albury).  Contact Elders, Aboriginal workers in your school, Land Council etc.  Consult Community at all levels of PLANNING DELIVERY REFLECTION

4. Connecting to Community Personal Aspects cont  Attend local functions and/or sports events, BBQs, celebrations e.g Bogong Moth Festival  Attend and support NAIDOC Week  Find a mentor if possible

5. Connecting to Community Personal Aspects cont  Prepare to be wrong sometimes (or often!)  Reflect on your “whiteness” if non Indigenous  Have a sense of humour  Remember that Indigenous people can get tired of being “the Authority” on Indigenous matters  Remember personal relationships are vital

6. Connecting with Community Professional Aspects  Be aware of and avoid Community politics  Listen, look, reflect  Use the “Mmm” word often, especially in the early days  Allow a space for different values, attitudes and beliefs (can be challenging at first)

7. Connecting with Community Professional Aspect cont  Learn about the culture and history of your area from the Indigenous people to get their perspectives  Learn about Community interrelationships/tensions without involvement  Join professional Associations e.g. Aboriginal Studies Association ($20.00 for students)

8. Connecting with Community Professional Aspects cont  Seek out Indigenous professionals in areas where you need advice e.g. Health, Docs  Learn from experienced and successful non Indigenous colleagues  Update your reading and Policy understandings especially with a change in Federal Government

9. Connecting with Community Other Reasons  STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT  MAKE NEW LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS  DEVELOP AS A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER DEVELOP AS A WHOLE PERSON  CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE  LEARN A NEW WORLD VIEW  HAVE FUN

10. Connecting with Community  Building genuine relationships takes time; baby steps  Achieving positive change takes time  Closing the gap will take time  Learning a different world view takes time SO……

11. On this journey you will develop:  Teaching Skills  Patience  Resilience  A broader sense of community  A broad sense of humour  A strong sense of connection to the Indigenous world

12. Connecting with Community REFERENCES Nancy Rooke, Wiradjuri Elder from Narrandera, my mentor. Ally Coe, Bill Powell, Pastor Grant, Ollie Patten, Greg Murray, Valda Murray, Richard Kennedy, Liz Heta and so many other community leaders, workers and elders. The women and men from our courses at TAFE who taught me more than I taught them. We’re A Mixed Mob Colleen Keenan Uni SA 2000 http://newcatalogue.library.unisa.edu.au/vufind/Record/33 6002/Details