Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

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INTRODUCTION STRUCTURE ORGANISING IDEAS GLOSSARY RESOURCES

Organising ideas

The organising ideas of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority are set out in Table 1.

Table 1: Organising ideas of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority

Country and Place
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Australia maintain a deep connection to, and responsibility for, Country and Place and have holistic values and belief systems that are connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways. VC2CCPACP1
The occupation and colonisation of the land now known as Australia by the British, under the now overturned doctrine of terra nullius, were experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as an invasion that denied their occupancy of, and connection to, Country and Place. VC2CCPACP2
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the Traditional Owners of Country and Place, protected in Australian law by the Native Title Act 1993, which recognises pre-existing sovereignty, continuing systems of law and customs, and connection to Country and Place. VC2CCPACP3
Culture
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies are diverse and have distinct cultural expressions, such as language, customs and beliefs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural expressions, while also maintaining the right to control, protect and develop culture as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. VC2CCPAC1
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. VC2CCPAC2
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people belong to the world’s oldest continuous cultures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples demonstrate resilience in the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of culture despite the many historic and enduring impacts of colonisation, and they continue to celebrate and share the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures. VC2CCPAC3
People
Australia has 2 distinct First Nations Peoples; each encompasses a diversity of nations across Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have occupied the Australian continent and adjacent islands from time immemorial. VC2CCPAP1
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have sophisticated political, economic and social organisation systems, which include but are not limited to family and kinship structures, laws, traditions, customs, land tenure systems and protocols for strong governance and authority. VC2CCPAP2
The significant and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their histories and cultures are acknowledged locally, nationally and globally. VC2CCPAP3

Country and Place

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Australia maintain a deep connection to, and responsibility for, Country and Place and have holistic values and belief systems that are connected to the land, sea, sky and waterways.

VC2CCPACP1

The occupation and colonisation of the land now known as Australia by the British, under the now overturned doctrine of terra nullius, were experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as an invasion that denied their occupancy of, and connection to, Country and Place.

VC2CCPACP2

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the Traditional Owners of Country and Place, protected in Australian law by the Native Title Act 1993, which recognises pre-existing sovereignty, continuing systems of law and customs, and connection to Country and Place.

VC2CCPACP3

Culture

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies are diverse and have distinct cultural expressions, such as language, customs and beliefs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural expressions, while also maintaining the right to control, protect and develop culture as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

VC2CCPAC1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life reflect unique ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.

VC2CCPAC2

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people belong to the world’s oldest continuous cultures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples demonstrate resilience in the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of culture despite the many historic and enduring impacts of colonisation, and they continue to celebrate and share the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures.

VC2CCPAC3

People

Australia has 2 distinct First Nations Peoples; each encompasses a diversity of nations across Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have occupied the Australian continent and adjacent islands from time immemorial.

VC2CCPAP1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have sophisticated political, economic and social organisation systems, which include but are not limited to family and kinship structures, laws, traditions, customs, land tenure systems and protocols for strong governance and authority.

VC2CCPAP2

The significant and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their histories and cultures are acknowledged locally, nationally and globally.

VC2CCPAP3