Back to Nature is a visually stunning documentary series that takes you on a journey into the deep interconnectedness between human beings and the landscape. Thara Brown, Aboriginal education specialist at Culture is Life, shares this important guidance when delivering the Back to Nature educational resources in the classroom.
Aboriginal people are the oldest known civilisation on Earth! The land we now know as Australia has stories going back thousands of generations told through ancient songlines.
In this time, Aboriginal people have a shared oral history that has only been documented through writing since colonisation.
Culture is Life believes in the importance of highlighting and influencing education settings, homes and communities to connect with and truly understand our history of strong cultures and peoples who lived harmoniously on this land for tens of thousands of years. It's important for all people living in Australia to understand our shared history of invasion, which caused devastating impacts for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and continue to impact them today.
Despite this, our cultures and connection to Country — meaning all spirits, land, waterways, sky, animals and people — still remain strong.
We hope to inspire an everlasting connection and appreciation to our beautiful culture, peoples and Countries. The Back to Nature producers and crew have helped create a beautiful opportunity to witness this beauty and hear some of Country’s stories.
Cultural considerations and guidance
When discussing Aboriginal stories in the Back to Nature series, it's important to consider all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.
When discussing Aboriginal people’s connection to Country, it is important to consider those who may live off Country or those who may not have a connection to their Countries. Get to know your students' stories and consider what may be triggering for them.
Your student may also want to share their personal stories and connection to their Country, peoples and cultures with the class. This is a critical knowledge to have to ensure your students feel safe in the conversations.
Here are eight steps to help guide teachers in delivering the Back to Nature's educational resources.
1. Watch and reflect
After watching the series ask yourself:
- What are the episodes and stories about?
- Who is this intended for?
- What messages and learnings are obvious in the series?
- What messages or learnings can I explore more deeply?
- Why is this film important for young people to view?
- What positive changes do I feel passionate about influencing?
- What role can I play in creating these changes?
2. Do a teacher check-in
Reflect on your own connection and understanding of the land and Aboriginal cultures, people and histories. Ask yourself what you know about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, traditions, customs, perspectives and knowledges.
Be vulnerable. Identify any areas where you can strengthen your understanding to ensure you are providing the most respectful and impactful learning for your students.
3. Understand protocol
Protocols exist as standards of behaviour used by people to show respect to one another.
Cultural protocol refers to the customs, lore and codes of behaviour of a particular cultural group and a way of conducting business. It also refers to the protocols and procedures used to guide the observance of traditional knowledge and practices, including how traditional knowledge is used, recorded and disseminated.
4. Consider cultural safety for children
It is important to first consider any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children watching this series and how the perspectives and themes could impact them. The significant impacts of past and current policies influence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s journey, and this knowledge and experiences will differ for every child.
It is also important to consider the experiences of any person in the room who could be impacted by the removal from their homelands, family, kinship and Country.
Understand and honour the survival and strong presence and culture of Aboriginal people today. When discussing Aboriginal ways in past tense, it is important for adults to confirm that Aboriginal cultural practices in these resources are still strong and practised today. Even if this looks different, the topics are not just historic.
5. Build relationships with your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
We encourage you to invite your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and local Aboriginal services to your school. Build relationships with them so they are a part of your learning community.
We strongly encourage you to invest in an Elder of the traditional Country that you are on to welcome your staff and students to Country and share their knowledge and perspectives.
6. Undertake cultural competency or inclusion training
Consider how your school community, including staff and families, can benefit from ongoing professional development and training in this area.
Visit the Reconciliation Australia website to consider your school’s reconciliation journey through its Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) and educational resources.
7. Consider how your school and community contribute towards sustainable and environmentally friendly practices
Be role models and educate our young people to lessen the human footprint on the Earth as much as possible.
Prioritise sustainable practices in your classroom, school, community and networks to take action in our collective responsibility to care for the planet that nourishes us.
Read more at Sustainability in Schools or learn more from your local networks and commit to actions in your school today!
8. Understand Indigenous people's relationship to the land
Indigenous barrister, cultural awareness practitioner and author Aunty Munya Andrews explains, “Many Indigenous peoples the world over generally do not believe that anyone or anything can be ‘owned’, especially the land.”
Aunty Munya says, “Rather than ‘owning’ the land, we believe that we belong to the land, in which there is no concept of individual ownership but rather one of joint belonging, collaboration and care of the land."
To gain a further understanding of what Country means for Aboriginal people, visit the Mungo website.
Thara Brown, Aboriginal education specialist at Culture is Life— an Aboriginal organisation that deepens connections and belonging by backing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solutions.
View the Back to Nature educational resources on ABC Education.