Aboriginal Education at Baldivis Children's Forest

Since 2004 there has been a strong emphasis on incorporating Aboriginal culture into the learning program at the forest. Aboriginal presenters have led students on numerous workshops and walks to learn about bush tucker, dreaming stories, totems/clans, language and tool usage. During 2005/06 a bush tucker garden, and trail with signage on bush tucker was developed. Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre (Murdoch University) is a strong partner in incorporating Aboriginal culture into the learning experiences at the forest.

Link to Nyoongar Season signage

During 2007 Baldivis Children's Forest held a special Reconciliation at the Forest day as part of a PALS project sponsored by the Department of Indigenous Affairs and BHP Billiton Nickel West.  Baldivis Primary School Year 6 students working with the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre organized the day to celebrate Nyoongar culture through food, art, stories,  making of artefacts and the construction of a mia mia.  Aboriginal students from six local schools, Aboriginal elders  and dignitaries were able to enjoy a traditional cooked breakfast of emu egg and damper,  and enjoyed a delicious kangaroo stew for lunch.  Students rotated through a range of activities which included the planting of a Tuart grove in memory of Joe Walley and the painting of boomerangs.

In 2007/2008 a partnership began with local Aboriginal students as part of the Parents Schools Partnership Initiative (PSPI) program via East Waikiki Primary School.  As part of this program the mia was built, Aboriginal tool making and culture explored and Aboriginal cultural signage has been developed with the students.

Phil cooks damper in the coals in the damper pit.	Making string from sedges to secure the branches on the mia mia.	Axe made from quartz rock and a glue made from grass tree sap and kangaroo poo.

In 2008 Baldivis Children's Forest was chosen to help showcase the Department of Indigenous Affairs PALS school program.  Local Elder Marie Taylor opened the morning with a Welcome to Country, followed by Elders Theresa Walley and Noel Morrison singing and talking about reconciliation. Baldivis Primary School choir sang the Nyoongar rendition of 'We are One'. The forest hosted students from Baldivis and Medina Primary School working together to explore forest scar trees, camp sites and bush tucker walk trails.

Marie Taylor with students from Baldivis Primary School Choir.

During 2009 and 2010 students have continued to learn about Nyoongar culture at the forest with DEC Aboriginal Officers visiting the forest during school activity days.

 

Useful links