Songlines and Trade

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• critical thinking
• collaboration
• communication
• cultural understanding
• curiosity
• ethical understanding
• intercultural understanding

UN SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:

Year 7, History

Students learn to 

• the social organisation and cultural practices of early First Nations Australians and their continuity and change over time (AC9HH7K06)
• the cultural obligations of First Nations Australians about significant heritage sites, including ancestral remains, material culture and artefacts, and the role of collaboration between First Nations Australians and other individuals and groups to ensure cultural preservation (AC9HH7K07)

Relevant parts of Year 7 History achievement standards: Students describe the social, religious, cultural, economic, environmental and/or political aspects related to changes and continuities in these societies. Students explain the importance of heritage sites connected to Australia and other societies from the ancient past.

NSW Syllabus outcomes:

A student describes and assesses the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the context of past societies (HT4-3)

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, Literacy, Numeracy & Personal and Social Capability 

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion

• Activity sheet - Trade cards
• Device capable of displaying audiovisual material
• Factsheet - Grinding stones and edge-ground axes
• Student Worksheet
• Whiteboard

The Everick Foundation is a Melbourne/Naarm based (DGR1) Foundation helping Traditional Custodians throughout Australia to achieve cultural and economic opportunities. Everick Foundation works within four priority areas including self-determination, research, education and storytelling. They invest in projects that link tangible and intangible First Nations cultural heritage and environmental values with business development and ownership outcomes.

Beginning to Include First Nations People’s Perspectives in Your Classroom

Quick Summary: This course aims to inform and upskill educators in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their classrooms.