Teacher backs Aboriginal education | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

to be taught this it should be done by choice not done as a every day lesson kids should be allowed to be ask if they want to learn it not be forced into it but i reckon yeah with all language being taught in schools it should not be done as a lesson only by choice

This sounds fine and I agree with slumlord, it should be offered as a choice. But, can I also encourage mentoring programs, especially from aboriginal elders. I had a boss in the defence force, who had a very successful career in his own right and was proud of his heritage. Though it used to upset him greatly when he saw aboriginal kids at times showing little pride in themselves. I saw him one night take one young fella aside, who was being anti soical. He had him moved to tears. It was like the first time someone, an elder, had sat down and made the effort. In all cultures the power role models, especially to kids / young men, can not be underestimated.

Having just completed five Indigenous units, as part of my Social Science degree, I applaud the decision to share the REAL history of Australia with school children. I believe the reason the level of racism and intolerance is so high in this country is that most non-Indigenous people do not know the real history. We are an uneducated bunch of people when it comes to the First Australians, their cultures, identity and history. I grew up in an Indigenous community, on the edge of the Nullarbor Desert in South Australia, and I felt I was very accepting of everyone as a kid, and I probably was. However, since undertaking my study, I have come to realise just how much I did not know about Indigenous Australian history. If the French government can fund Australian to learn French in schools, why the heck are we not learning languages and history of those who were here first???

I agree that aboriginal languages should be taught in schools. Hundreds of aboriginal languages were once spoken in this country - we're down to under ten. If we don't do something about this issue now, we will, in generations to come, look back at this period of time with dismay, disappointment and shame.
Perhaps a new subject, simply called, Aboriginal Culture, could be taught in schools - covering everything from aboriginal food and history to aboriginal languages.
I agree with duckox18, it would be helpful if aboriginal elders were offered support so that they could connect with young indigenous people, teach them aboriginal culture and history.
I don't believe we have the right to allow aboriginal culture to disappear.
Dr Patricia Petersen

Yvonne, well said!
Patricia