Educators were invited to reflect on moving beyond partnerships and towards treaty-making during a presentation by Culturally Nourishing Schooling leaders at the recent ATEA (Australian Teacher Education Association) conference.
Associate Professor Cathie Burgess, from The University of Sydney and Community Facilitator Julie Welsh, from UNSW, drew on their extensive experience at the grassroots of education and community work in the keynote address at the conference in North Sydney with the theme of “Embracing Partnerships: Leading the Future of Teaching, Learning and Research”.
Describing the genesis of CNS following research carried out with Associate Professor Kevin Lowe, A/Prof Burgess said: "We decided to call it Culturally Nourishing Schooling, because these kids are so undernourished in terms of access to culture, identity and re-affirming their status as sovereign peoples in this country."
She explained how Cultural Mentors, currently working in eight CNS schools, are at the heart of the project ⎼ working with teachers not only around curriculum but also with building relationships with the community and supporting teachers to consider what teaching and learning strategies can be sued to embed Indigenous knowledge and culture in the classroom.
Julie Welsh proud Gomeroi and Muruwari woman and CNS Community Facilitator, explained the work of the Blak Caucus and shared the thought-provoking post below from musician and proud Malyangapa, Barkindji woman Barkka.
