Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture

National Reconciliation Week is held annually from 27 May to 3 June. It is a time to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.Preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May, National Reconciliation Week is framed by two key events in Australia’s history, which provide strong symbols for reconciliation:

Indigenous Viewer Advice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and voices of people who have passed away. Downloads and a complete Apology Transcript

Video: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP - Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples (WMV)
7.7MB - 4min, 3secVideo: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP - Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples (MOV)
16MB - 4min, 3secAudio: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP - Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples (MP3)
1.2MB - 3min, 40sec - 48kbps Mono

Ancient stories have inspired central Australian women in a craft that has risen to fine art.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, rich and diverse. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity is central to this priority and is intrinsically linked to living, learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, deep knowledge traditions and holistic world view.

A conceptual framework based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ unique sense of Identity has been developed as a structural tool for the embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures within the Australian curriculum. This sense of Identity is approached through the interconnected aspects of Country/Place, People and Culture. Embracing these elements enhances all areas of the curriculum.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priority provides opportunities for all learners to deepen their knowledge of Australia by engaging with the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. This knowledge and understanding will enrich their ability to participate positively in the ongoing development of Australia.

The Rivers hold deep emotional significance for historic and contemporary peoples who have drawn upon them as a functional, pleasure and spiritual resource according to project co- manager Winthrop Professor Susan Broomhall.

"The Swan and Canning Rivers are a defining cultural focus of Perth's communities (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) and this project provides an easy-to-use framework for the community to express its often very personal, very deep and dear connections to our internationally recognised riverscape," Professor Broomhall said.

The Dot Com Mob - Connecting Indigenous Communities.

The Schools Reconciliation Challenge 2013 is NOW OPEN! 

 Engage your students in learning about Aboriginal Australia and profile your school's commitment to Reconciliation!

Read the 2013 Teaching Kit as an online magazine below or download a copy for printing.The Teaching Kit contains all the information you need to participate, as well as fact sheets, art activities and other resources. 

A unit of work for Years 3 and 4 to explore aspects of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, using the picture books You and Me: Our Place by Leonie Norrington and Dee Huxley and Yorta Yorta stories retold in Stories from the Billabong.

We Don't Need A Map: A Martu experience of the Western Desert