Australia - Artist Connie Ah See, Wiradjuri

I suppose I was 16 when the news travelled urgently throughout Yirrkala that the sacred banyan tree at Nhulunbuy was going to be damaged by the mining company. There was a rippling anger that shot through the old people. People called out in the high upset tones of my people when they are under threat. Old men I knew to be strong and courageous and afraid of nothing were shaken.

We were led to the site by my father and a number of senior Yolngu men. I saw the tears in my father’s eyes. I had never seen this before. I quietly asked why are you crying? I am sad and I am angry he told me. We have tried very hard to teach Balanda about our land. We have tried to share this knowledge, free and open. And after all of that they cut that tree and it cuts me inside.
Galarrwuy Yunupingu
Lingiari Lecture No. 3

A Shared History

Teaching Ideas > Stage 1
To Change and continuity Stage 1 Artist Connie Ah See, Wiradjuri

Stage 1 focuses the students yon themselves in their local area. Students are asked to 'identify' and 'communicate' changes and continuity in their local area.

Concepts

Historical: stories, celebrations and commemorations, families, events, values and beliefs.

Geographic: technologies, natural and built environments, changing environments, changing needs, demography, values and beliefs.

To Community heritage Stage 1 Artist Connie Ah See, Wiradjuri

Stage 1 focuses the students on themselves in their local area. Students are asked to 'identify' and 'describe' culture as something that is living and that they are part of in different ways.

Concepts

Historical: cultures, civics, citizenship, families, events (local, state, national and international), values and beliefs.

Geographic: variations in environments that impact on communities, the Land and Aboriginality, values and beliefs.

To Environments Stage 1 Artist Connie Ah See, Wiradjuri

Stage 1 focuses the students on themselves in their environment. Students are asked to 'compare and contrast' and 'demonstrate an understanding' of environments as something living and that they are part of in many different ways.

Concepts

Historical: environments, civics, citizenship, shaping of modern Australia, values and beliefs.

Geographic: variations in environments, the Land and Aboriginality, values and beliefs.

To Social systems and structures Stage 1 Artist Connie Ah See, Wiradjuri

Stage 1 focuses the students on themselves in their local area. Students are asked to 'explain' and 'identify' social systems and structures as something that they are part of in differing ways.

Concepts

Historical: civics, citizenship, families, communities (local, state, national and international), values and beliefs.

Geographic: settlements, transport, services, the Land and Aboriginality, values and beliefs.

© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2008. This work may be freely reproduced and distributed for personal, educational or government purposes. Permission must be received from the Department for all other uses.

Licensed Under NEALS