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