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... Development Tool. As KU centres review their current practices and explore opportunities to build on their strengths, it becomes apparent that connection with members of local Aboriginal communities is a fundamental factor in developing trusting relationships.
The recent invitation of Aboriginal Elders to work with educators and children in a small number of KU centres has helped educators find meaningful and respectful ways to embed an Aboriginal perspective in their contemporary early learning program.
‘ The basis for successful and sustained outcomes is to build on the social and cultural capital and the resilience of community.’ June Oscar 1
Choosing an area of the educational program they each wanted to explore with the Elder, staff set goals and had clear ideas of what they wanted to achieve. As the process evolved, many unintended outcomes became true learning moments for all.
The following two articles tell the stories of how Kira Child Care Centre and KU Concord Children’ s Centre have increased their understanding and awareness of how Aboriginal peoples continue caring for the land and its inhabitants. They also demonstrate an awareness of the spiritual and cultural responsibilities of Aboriginal people and of the importance of ensuring all living things are nurtured, protected and sustained.
1 June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Keynote Address at the Chief Women’ s Annual Dinner, September 2017.
ABORIGINAL WAYS OF BEING TRANSFORMING AN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT
This story begins with Uncle Laurie 2 respectfully sitting with staff and children at Kira Child Care Centre in Paddington, Sydney. He listened to their thoughts and ideas and offered some insight into what he thought would work in an underutilised space in the outdoor area. As an Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Laurie was tasked with recreating some aspects of traditional Aboriginal culture living outdoors.
Collaboratively, a decision was made to build a Gunyah( humpy), along with a Yarning Circle with sandstone features. From here the learning journey began.
Uncle Laurie and his Aboriginal apprentice Connor visited the centre a number of times, often staying much longer than they originally planned. Over a six week period, Uncle Laurie and Connor constructed the Gunyah and carved totems into the sandstone, representing the land of the Gadigal people on which the centre is located. They spent hours sitting, talking, listening and creating, rethinking and considering how to include the ideas of the children and staff.
Many families joined the children and staff in a celebration of the creation of their Gunyah and Yarning Circle. During the celebration, Uncle Laurie formally cleansed the area with a traditional smoking ceremony to protect the space and keep it strong.
The learning of Aboriginal culture continues at Kira, with the creation of a bush tucker garden and stories that are shared as children sit in the Gunyah or around the Yarning Circle. Uncle Laurie is a regular visitor and enjoys the opportunity to share his innovative ideas of cooking with bush ingredients.
2 Uncle Laurie is a traditional Guringai Elder, descendant of Bungaree and connected to the Gadigal people.
Page 2 www. ku. com. au OCTOBER 2017