Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies

Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies is a unique and exciting subject. The following material empowers teachers, students and parents to promote Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies for inclusion in the curriculum at their local high school. The material includes statements from students who took Aboriginal Studies for the HSC talking about what they gained from it.

Syllabus and curriculum documents

Frequently asked questions about Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies

Student speech promoting Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies

Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies student comments

"Aboriginality and the Land" support resources:

Caring for country and sustainable Indigenous development (pdf - 200kb). A Working Paper from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU. The paper authored by Altman and Whitehead explores how Indigenous community - based natural resource management can generate both conservative benefit and economic development opportunities. There is much to be learnt from the experience of Indigenous natural resource managers in north Australia. There are links between land care, wildlife use and biodiversity conservation that need to be recognised, celebrated and supported.

"Health" support resources:

The fourth edition of The Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2003) provides a unique overview of the health and welfare of Australia's Indigenous population.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health List, is a list of publications and other resources dealing with aspects of Indigenous health issues, on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare web-site.

"Economic independence" support resources:

Chasing the money story: The Tangentyere band pilot project (pdf - 824kb). Improving Indigenous people's access to banking and financial services must involve cooperation between Indigenous organisations, the financial services sector, and governments. The author evaluates the Tangentyere Bank Pilot Project in Alice Springs, covering various aspects of the banking and financial services provided by the Tangentyere Council, including face-to-face banking services, the financial literacy program, and the weekly payments trial. The project's relevance to other remote central Australian Aboriginal communities is also discussed.

"Housing" support resources:

The effects of New Living on Indigenous wellbeing: a case study on urban renewal (pdf - 360kb). In this report Roz Walker, John Ballard, Cheryle Taylor and Jean Hillier introduce an analysis of the impact of state public housing regeneration projects on Indigenous households in urban communities in Western Australia.

Sustainable tenancy for Indigenous families: what services and policy supports are needed? (pdf - 352kb). In this 52 page report Lesley Cooper and Mary Morris introduce a research project which will investigate residential dislocation and housing instability by examining pathways taken by Indigenous women and children between homelessness and sustainable tenancy (Michael Mitchie)

"Criminal Justice" support resources:

Coalition of Aboriginal Legal Services of NSW (COALS) forms a peak body representing the 6 regional Aboriginal Legal Services (ATSILS) in New South Wales - Kamilaroi Aboriginal Legal Service, Many Rivers Aboriginal Legal Service, Western Aboriginal Legal Service, Wiradjuri (Central Southern) Aboriginal Legal Service, South Eastern Aboriginal Legal Service and Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation Legal Service. The primary role of COALS is to undertake advocacy, research and policy development on behalf of ATSILS in NSW. (Michael Mitchie)

Other support resources:

Film study guides

Mabo Study Guide (pdf - 253kb)
Rabbit Proof Fence (pdf - 487kb)
Frontier Study Guide (pdf - 657kb)
Yolgnu Boy Study Guide (pdf - 568kb)
Buried Country Study Guide (pdf - 2540kb)
Stolen Generation Study Guide (pdf - 181kb)
Beneath Clouds Study Guide (pdf - 368kb)

Aboriginal Studies HSC online

Government reports

Restoring Identity: Final Report of the Moving Forward Consultation Project (pdf - 740kb). The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) developed a proposal for a Stolen Generations reparations tribunal to provide full reparations for forcible removal of Indigenous children.

Restoring Identity Summary Report (pdf - 484kb). A four page summary of Restoring Identity: Final Report of the Moving Forward Consultation Project.