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First Nations

Online resources to support teaching and learning



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is one of the three cross-curricula priorities in the Australian Curriculum. It is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. The conceptual framework for learning comprises the underlying elements of Identity and Living Communities and the key concepts of Country/Place, Culture and People. 

Here you will find teaching resources to support teaching and learning about this cross curricula priority, with particular focus on understanding connection to Country.

Please contact us if you have other useful resources or suggestions to improve this page.

Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education: Professional learning and teaching resources to building understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions, and to support the implementation of reconciliation initiatives.
Stage 1-5 |  Reconciliation Australia

NAIDOC Week Education Resources
Stage 1-5 | National NAIDOC Secretariat

Uluru Statement from the Heart Education Resources 
Stage 4-5  | 

Schools Reconciliation Challenge
Reconciliation NSW

National Reconcilation Week
Reconciliation NSW

Know your Country Campaign and Education Resources: Discover new ways to acknowledge the First Nations Country you’re on and learn more about the Know Your Country Campaign. 

Welcome to Country App
Museums and Galleries of NSW phone app 

Aboriginal Nations and Languages in NSW/ACT
Reconciliation NSW 

AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
AIATSIS

First Nation Perspectives Language Guidelines: Introductory information for educators using learning centre resources from Landcare Australia
Landcare Australia

Heal Country: Teaching resource produced for 2021 NAIDOC week addressing themes Knowing Country, Connecting to Country and Protecting Country.
Stage 3 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Common Ground

Back to Nature: Teaching resources to support the Back to Nature documentary series exploring the interconnectedness between human beings and the landscape.
Stage 2-5 | Geography, History, Science | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Culture is Life

Welcome to Sea Country: Teaching resources for the NSW South Coast Sea Country education program
Stage 3 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Indigenous Fishing, Dharawal language lesson
Stage 3 -5 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Marine Stewardship Council 

Food & Fibre – An Aboriginal Perspective
Stage 5-6 | Agriculture, Geography | NSW Department of Primary Industries

Aboriginal Agriculture, Technology and Ingenuity: Bruce Pascoe: 18 short video clips exploring ideas raised in Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu book, and the sophisticated technologies used by First Nations Australians to live, farm and manage the land.
Stage 3 – 5 | Geography, History, Science, Technology | Video clips | ABC Education 

Aboriginal cultures: Sharing, connecting and practising
Stage 1-5 | HSIE, Civics and Citizenship | ABC Education 

How we are Unsettled: Nine-lesson unit of work exploring the untold stories and First Nations perspectives of Australia’s history, based around the Australian Museum’s ‘Unsettled’ exhibition. 
Stage 2-4 | Creative Arts, English, First Nations, History, Mathematics | Interactive Lessons  | Australian Museum

Dyarubbin Story Map: Mapping Aboriginal history, culture and stories of the Hawkesbury River. 

Aboriginal Storytelling of Flooding in the Hunter: NSW Department of Planning & Environment, video (15 mins). 

Online resource hub, NSW Environmental and Zoo Education Centres, Primary & Secondary teaching resources such as lessons on Traditional Wiradjuri Culture, Aboriginal sites at Bobin Head, Changing Seasons D’harawal knowledge, Dharawal ocean and bush resources
Stage 1 – 5 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | NSW Department of Education 

Aboriginal Education Resources, A comprehensive resource list exploring teaching and learning, indigenous ecological knowledge and policy
Stage 1 – 4 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Brewongle Environmental Education Centre, NSW Department of Education 

First Nation Perspectives: Junior Landcare Learning Centre database explores Indigenous seasons, traditional land management techniques and cultural heritage resources
Stage 1 – 4 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Landcare Australia

Lesson Plans and Activities: Database with categories such as ‘country, geography, environment, culture, astronomy’. 
Stage 1 – 4 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, videos, classroom activities | Reconciliation NSW 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curricula: A website of teaching resources to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge in the classroom
Stages 2 – 5 | Cross Curriculum | Lesson plans, teaching ideas, student activities | University of Melbourne Indigenous Knowledge Institute

Curriculum resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives 
Stage 1 – 4 | Cross Curriculum |  Lesson plans, teaching ideas, student activities | Australians Together 

Cool Australia
Stage 1 – 6 | Cross Curriculum |  Lesson plans, teaching ideas, student activities | Cool Australia

8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning, a pedagogy framework that allows teachers to include Aboriginal perspectives by using Aboriginal learning techniques
NSW Department of Education, Bangamalanha Centre, Dubbo. 

Teaching local NSW Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, A guide for schools 
NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

The most recent  2021 NSW State of the Environment Report (NSW EPA) is the first NSW SOE report to include First Nation perspectives. 

“Aboriginal people have a spiritual and cultural connection and an inherent right to protect the land, waters, sky and natural resources of New South Wales. This connection goes deep and has been since the dreaming. The entire landscape, including traditional lands, fresh water and seas, has spiritual and cultural significance to Aboriginal people…there is no separation of country, culture, waters and wellbeing. The health of the natural environment, fresh waters, land animals, marine animals and people are intimately connected” 

Each chapter has an introduction that captures First Nation perspectives about different sustainability issues discussed in the report. 

Sustainable Schools NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. 

We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.