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Karajarri country near Broome in Western Australia . Photo : William Marwick
I think every single Australian would find value in this program and should have this in-depth knowledge .
A journey worth taking
Notre Dame pursues reconciliation through education .
By Wade Zaglas
With the recent Reconciliation Week in May , the University of Notre Dame has highlighted how education helps to make reconciliation “ more of an action ” and “ not a word ”.
“ Words don ’ t mean much unless they are followed up by serious commitment and actions by government and non-government sectors to address reconciliation ,” said Associate Professor Clive Walley , National Director of Indigenous Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia .
“ There needs to be a concerted effort by everyone across the country to really value , recognise and respect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have contributed significantly to this great country of ours , and it is up to all Australians to be a voice for them .
“ The time for action is certainly well overdue , but I also know that many colleagues and friends are doing their bit to change this .”
Reconciliation Australia emphasises that reconciliation is “ a journey for all Australians ”, and education is integral in strengthening relationships and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples .
“ Cultural awareness workshops and courses like our Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies can play a part , but they are just beginning points for many wanting to understand our cultural ways and perhaps one day work within our community to make a difference and create real positive change ,” Walley said .
“ People learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural ways must also understand that our diversity shapes us into who we are .”
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Aboriginal studies , including a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies . This course explores “ Aboriginal history , spirituality , culture , politics , and issues surrounding the principles and practices of reconciliation ”.
Gillian Kennedy , who is the coordinator of the program , says it ’ s one every Australian should undertake .
“ I think every single Australian would find value in this program and should have this in-depth knowledge . There ’ s a huge variety of people who have done it , including police officers , teachers , health professionals and community workers , but I would love more politicians and policymakers to do it ,” she said .
“ We talk a lot about the historical context in a course called The Silent History , where we take a thorough look at Aboriginal history in Australia – an often unacknowledged history – and it really speaks to what we ’ re talking about in the national conversation at the moment around truth telling .
“ That ’ s not only about Aboriginal people telling their stories of what ’ s happened , but it ’ s also about non- Indigenous people listening to those stories and also acknowledging our own position in that story .”
Contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal people are also covered in the course , such as native title , identity and selfdetermination , in addition to topics where students analyse how Aboriginal people are represented in the media . Of course , the extraordinarily high incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their experiences of an ‘ alien ’ legal system are also discussed and evaluated .
What sets this program apart from many others is the eight-day intensive block that takes place on country with the Karajarri people , the traditional owners of the country just south of Broome in Western Australia .
“ We strongly believe there needs to be an opportunity for people to actually meet in person and be on country in Broome , which is a lovely experience – and often one of the main reasons people choose this course ,” Kennedy added .
Kennedy hopes students are more self-reflective after completing the program , having developed a greater understanding and ability “ to use their democratic power to encourage politicians to make better choices when it comes to things like the Aboriginal voice , truth telling and treaty making ”.
Patricia Wall , or Aunty Trish as she is known at Notre Dame , teaches Aboriginal Studies at an undergraduate level and says education helps people understand different perspectives .
“ Coming in , students may have a biased or stereotypical view about Aboriginal people but that changes immensely over the course , and those students are now championing Aboriginal people ,” she said . “ I think for the majority of Aboriginal people reconciliation is about having selfdetermination , but it ’ s also about others walking with you , understanding where you ’ re at and the journey you ’ ve been through . That is the big deal .
“ It ’ s not all about policies and plans . It ’ s about cultural context and conciliation , as well as the practical and symbolic elements of reconciliation , so that Australia can one day see us being in the Constitution . The biggest step of all is achieving mutual respect . When Aboriginal people work with non-Aboriginal people in a really amazing way , it ’ s because there ’ s acknowledgement of traditional First Nations people .
“ We know there will be roadblocks but we are hoping people come to the party and say , ‘ I want to be part of your world . How do I do that ?’ That ’ s the most important thing .” ■
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