Anonymous 1052

The only things I know, I had to teach myself. I wasn’t taught anything about it in primary school, secondary school, or my teaching degree at uni. The majority of representations I have seen have been white-washed or hidden to avoid offending the privileged. I am originally from Far North Queenslad. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures are strongly represented in the community. When I moved to Victoria as an adult, I experienced what I can only describe as a massive culture shock. I am non-Indigenous, but I grew up surrounded by First Peoples culture. To move to regional Victoria to an area with a history of extensive massacres and find it all missing was completely destabilising. I grieve for the life and the culture that was taken from here. I grieve that the history of this space has been erased, or recorded in such a biased, fractured way that, even as a librarian I struggle to find accurate history. For the massacres that aren’t remembered, the history that isn’t taught, the peoples who have been ripped from their Country and kin… I am ashamed.

I did not attend school here, but my children do, and I work with schools in a professional capacity to encourage embedding First Nations perspectives in the curriculum. What I have found, and my children have been taught, is largely tokenism. It is also very, very carefully apolitical, but it shouldn’t be. Truth telling should be honest and uncomfortable. My children should know what happened, why it happened, and why it shouldn’t have happened or ever happen again. Many teachers want to teach an accurate history, they want to teach First Nations perspectives, but they are not supported to do so confidently or accurately, so they shy away from it. Without strong leadership and practical resources, this won’t improve.

First Listen to First Nations peoples. Celebrate and encourage culture, but don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. All children, all adults, should learn a true and complete history of Australia and its many Nations and peoples. Teach children from birth – better equip educators and carers to do so. It’s easy to hate and be afraid of what you don’t understand. We need to do better. Nurture strong connections to Country for all Australians. A shared pride and purpose to nurture, connect and protect goes a long way to healing a shared history of violence, greed and disconnect.

Deep, meaningful listening. Amplifying the voices of First Nations Victorians. Knowing when to stay silent. Practical commitments to supporting First Nations peoples and organisations.

Deep, meaningful listening. Amplifying the voices of First Nations Victorians. Knowing when to stay silent. Practical commitments to supporting First Nations peoples and organisations.