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Songlines and Trade

Research Questions

Name Class

Task 1

What are songlines, and how do they help connect Aboriginal peoples across Australia?

  1. Describe what a songline is and its cultural significance.
  2. How were songlines used as pathways or maps across the land?
  3. Give examples of how songlines helped First Nations people navigate or share stories.

Task 2

How did trade networks operate between different First Nations groups in Australia before colonisation?

  1. What items were commonly traded between groups?
  2. How did the geography of Country and songlines influence who traded with whom?
  3. What does archaeological evidence tell us about these trade networks?

Task 3

How do songlines and trade networks reflect the values and sustainability practices of First Nations peoples, and what can we learn from them today?

  1. In what ways did trade and songlines help manage resources and support sustainability?
  2. How did trade promote relationships, fairness, and ethical behaviour between groups?
  3. Using digital tools, design a modern community initiative inspired by traditional songlines and trading values to promote intercultural understanding or sustainability.