Teaching Aboriginal Studies : producing inclusive Australian citizens

This paper argues that Aboriginal Studies should not merely be 'taught' on the sidelines, but celebrated and incorporated into mainstream teaching. If primary teacher education institutions, and departments of education's teaching and learning mission is to produce inclusive Australian citizens, then it can be argued that primary teacher education institutions and likewise schools must incorporate Aboriginal Studies and Aboriginal Studies perspectives. The paper considers the historical factors that have influenced Australia's misunderstanding of Aboriginal people and culture, and the present plight of Aboriginal people in Australia. It examines these historical factors and how these factors have resulted in Aboriginal people and culture being perceived as insubstantial which has led, in some areas, to chronic Aboriginal disadvantage. In the 1970's a cultural resurgence resulted in Aboriginal Studies being taught in schools. However, many primary teacher education institutions have been slow to introduce Aboriginal Studies subjects. This paper presents a rationale for teaching Aboriginal Studies within universities, schools and hence the wider Australian community.