Module 14
Multi-cultural perspectives:
Indigenous People
Introduction
This module presents some Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander (Indigenous) perspectives that could be included in Coastal and
Marine Studies. It does not purport to be representative of the views
of any Indigenous peoples; rather it is designed to help you, the marine
educator, to find the most appropriate way to include Indigenous perspectives
into your teaching.
To neglect Indigenous perspectives is to leave an entire body of traditional
knowledge about the coast and sea untapped. It is also to ignore a section
of our community for whom the use, management and conservation of marine
and coastal resources and environments is of great importance - spiritually,
socially and economically.
By educating about traditional and contemporary Indigenous use and management
of marine and coastal resources, both non-Indigenous and Indigenous students
will gain a better understanding of sustainable lifestyles choices. In
the longer term, greater community acceptance of Indigenous peoples’
rights, obligations, aspirations and needs related to caring for sea country
will promote the conservation and management of marine and coastal resources.
Objectives
The objectives of this workshop are:
• to develop appreciation of Indigenous peoples’ perspectives on the coast and marine environment, and facilitate making links with local Indigenous communities;
• to enhance understanding of Indigenous peoples’ continuing links with the coast and marine environments and their aspirations for sustainable lifestyles, both traditional and contemporary, through coastal and marine resource management and education;
• to encourage ‘best practice’ for incorporating Indigenous perspectives into your marine and coastal curriculum.
Workshop Outline
There are four activities in this workshop:
1. Introduction
This activity is a series of three brief ‘icebreakers’ which encourages participants to identify their personal cultural perspectives related to the marine and coastal environments. It includes discussion on how Indigenous viewpoints may differ and what implications this may have for marine and coastal studies. Barriers to, and benefits of, including Indigenous perspectives into coastal and marine studies are discussed. The objectives of the workshop are clarified in light of these discussions.
2. The three ‘R’s - Recognition, Respect and Responsibility
This activity is a series of presentations and group discussions that look at the need to recognise the diversity of Indigenous peoples (and to recognise Indigenous peoples in our own areas as invaluable resource people); respecting Indigenous peoples’ knowledge, rights, needs, interests and connections to sea country; and our responsibility to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard in education about sustainable use, conservation and management of the coastal and marine environments.
3. Cultures of the coasts - past and present
This activity includes guest lectures, skills workshops, group discussions and practical exercises to enhance appreciation and understanding of the ways in which Indigenous peoples utilise and manage their sea country, both traditionally and in contemporary society. Several case studies of key marine management issues that affect Indigenous peoples and their aspirations to lead environmentally- and culturally-sustainable lifestyles are investigated.
4. Best practice guidelines
This activity is a workshop on best practice for incorporating Indigenous perspectives in Coastal and Marine Studies. Participants will be introduced to cultural protocols and will investigate where Indigenous perspectives best fit into the existing curriculum. Participants will then evaluate their progress in awareness of Indigenous perspectives.
Materials Required
A. Provided
Overhead Transparencies |
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| OHT 1 | Issues | |
| OHT 2 | Objectives | |
| OHT 3 | Map of Language Groups of SE Australia | |
| OHT 4 | Map of sea country boundaries | |
| OHT 5 | Elements of culture | |
| OHT 6 | Cultural history of coastal Australia | |
| OHT 7 | Indigenous peoples’ concerns about coastal and marine management | |
| OHT 8 | Economic importance of the coastal and marine environment | |
| OHT 9 | Seasonal calendar of resources used by the Yanyuwa people | |
| OHT 10 | Statement | |
| OHT 11 | Checklist for successful meetings | |
| OHT 12 | Best practice principles | |
Resources |
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| Resource 1 | Symbols | |
| Resource 2 | Possible Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander interpretations | |
| Resource 3 | The importance of sea country | |
| Resource 4 | Aboriginal resource use and management | |
| Resource 5 | Customary law and lore of the coast | |
| Resource 6 | Valuing traditional ecological knowledge | |
| Resource 7 | Case study - Focus on a local marine resource use issue | |
| Resource 8 | Case study - Turtle and dugong hunting management in Far North Queensland | |
Readings |
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| Reading 1 | Understanding sea country | |
| Reading 2 | Torres Strait Islanders’ sea interests | |
| Reading 3 | Respecting culture | |
| Reading 4 | Utilising the resources of the Great Barrier Reef | |
| Reading 5 | Aboriginal uses of plants on Groote Eylandt | |
| Reading 6 | Managing country - traditional-way | |
| Reading 7 | Best practice for including Indigenous perspectives into Coastal and Marine Studies | |
B. To Be Obtained
| Activity 1 | butchers paper and felt pens; tape recorder with ocean music. | |
| Activity 2 | TV / VCR; video Saltwater People (GBRMPA, 1997); butchers paper and pens. | |
| Activity 3 | materials for hands-on workshop (if any); sheets of paper or card (approx half A4 size), felt pens, and blue tack or pins. | |
| Activity 4 | sheets of paper or card (approx half A4 size), felt pens, and blue tack or pins; butchers paper and felt pens. |
Further Reading
Bergin, A. (1993) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interests in
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. GBRMPA.
Cordell, J. (1995) Indigenous management of land and sea and traditional
activities in Cape York Peninsula. The University of Queensland.
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1998) Human Rights and Indigenous
Australians. Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Horton, D. General Editor (1994) The Encyclopedia of Aboriginal Australia.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
(Also available on CD-ROM)
Horton, D. (1994) Map of Aboriginal Australia. Australian Institute of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
Horstman, M. (1996) Black Shadows, White Shadows, Grey Shadows. Arena
22.26-31.
NSW TAFE Commission (1996) Indigenous Australians - an Aboriginal community
focus. Interactive multi-media CD-ROM. Sydney Institute of Technology.
Smith, A. (1989) Usage of marine resources by Aboriginal communities on
the east coast of Cape York Peninsula. GBRMPA.
Smythe, D. (1993) A voice in all places. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander interests in Australia’s coastal zone. Coastal Zone Inquiry
Resource Assessment Commission.
Useful Web sites
www.atsic.gov.au
www.aiatsis.gov.au
www.environment.gov.au/marine/coastnet/discussion_groups/indigenous