As a white Australian young woman, I'll admit that I haven't always had a large exposure to other cultures. As a white Australian young woman entering a career in teaching, I believe it is my responsibility to develop cultural awareness and competence.
Personally, I find it important to seek authentic perspectives from other cultures, and approach it with an open mind. I want to do what I can to understand, but I've found there will sometimes be parts of history and culture that I struggle to comprehend.
To the left is a link to a Ted Talk, spoken by Sheila Humphries (2017) informing her association with the Stolen Generations. I suggest that you look into other perspectives as there are so many stories from this time, and just one does not tell the full story.
As a young, white Australian, stories like Sheila's are difficult but important to hear. I struggle to comprehend that anyone could or would take children from their parents because of their race. I know I'm not alone in feeling a sense of guilt in that those cruel people looked like me. The past is not something that we can change as a nation, but as teachers, we can teach the importance of cultural awareness and competence. These lessons need to be approached with care and sensitivity, it's not a light topic. But by educating ourselves as teachers to have an expected standard of cultural awareness and competence in our classroom, we set a standard for our students to respect each other and all cultures, which they will take with them outside the classroom and into their lives, ensuring we grow from our past mistakes as a Nation.
Watch the Ted Talk to the right to hear Michael Gavin (2014) discuss the importance of cultural diversity. In this resource I discuss First Nations education, however, diversity extends to a multiplicity of cultures and groups. Within First Nations Australians there are two distinct groups; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, of which AIATSIS (2020) estimates there are over 250 different language groups, with many of these languages getting lost with time.
To the right is a link to the Wiradjuri Dictionary App. Coleambally Central School is located on Wiradjuri country, thus it is where we often start with First Nations education. It is however important to remember that there are so many cultures within First Nations Australia to explore and celebrate, so try not to limit yourself or your students to the one.
In immersing students in languages other than English, it can open their minds to cultural variations and meanings. It also can connect students to their ancestors and/or their land.