Examining everything from possum skin cloaks to stone fish traps and a seasonal calendar to a creation story, students from Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal Studies learnt about the knowledge systems and sustainable practices used for countless generations during their excursion and guided tour at the Australian Museum.
Led by a First Nations guide, students were attentive when listening to personal stories about the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, their deep connection to the land and the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
“After a dry spell of excursions during and post COVID, it was great to take such a beautiful group of interested students to the Australian Museum to listen to an expert First Nations cultural educator impart their knowledge in a guided tour of the Garrigarrang and Unsettled exhibits,” said IGS Head of Indigenous Education Jade Carr.
“Aboriginal Studies is awesome,” said Year 12 student Felix who explained that the subject draws upon the ideas and methods of disciplines including history, art history, literature, linguistics, film, musicology, anthropology, sociology and health studies.
“Oh, and Ms Carr is a legend,” he added.
There are currently three Aboriginal Studies classes at IGS, including a Year 11 class, a Year 12 class and a Year 11 compressed class, in which students complete two years of coursework in nine months.
IGS thanks Ms Carr and Ms Sampson, as well as the guide and the Australian Museum for providing such an enriching experience for our senior students.