Page 656 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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Further actions may be outlined in the ACT Multicultural Framework Second Action Plan, if identified as a priority by the community.
ACT public schools are implementing the Australian Curriculum which allows schools to preserve, promote, educate and engage students in cultural languages and heritage. The Australian Curriculum, through the Intercultural Understanding General Capability focuses on students learning about a variety of cultures and heritages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait. The Cross Curriculum Priority, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures enables teachers to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education across the curriculum.
Belconnen High School is currently developing a Year 9/10 unit focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Languages called Connecting to Country. This program is being developed in consultation with Aboriginal students, their families, academics in Indigenous studies and linguistics, as well as local elders.
The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Yurauna Centre is a community focused multi-functional Cultural Education Centre of Excellence that brings individuals together to learn in a culturally safe environment. The Centre is a gathering place that provides opportunity for people of all ages, including youth to gain an education that empowers individuals and community. Students are provided with information on the local traditional custodians Ngunnawal peoples.
At the CIT Yurauna Centre, all programs are based on Aboriginal pedagogical practices that incorporate the 8 Aboriginal ways of Learning. Indigenous students have an opportunity through their studies to research and further develop their own cultural identity and heritage through accredited and non-accredited activities. All students in CIT Yurauna have opportunity to research and engage widely with common Aboriginal Creole incorporated in classes as well as access their own languages and cultural information to preserve and promote for retention.
Indigenous students attend the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) through excursions. Students are encouraged to engage with their own community Elders for further information or advice to support their cultural language and heritage growth.
CIT Pathways run English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs and collaborate closely with educators who have extensive experience in creating materials and designing programs supporting the preservation, promotion, education and engagement in an individual’s own and in others’ cultural language and heritage.
(2) Youth InterACT is the ACT Government’s youth participation strategy which enables young Canberrans to contribute to discussions on youth issues and influence government policies and programs. Youth InterACT includes the opportunity for youth to join the Youth Advisory Council, access grants and scholarships and have their contributions recognised. The diversity of young people is both embraced and encouraged across all Youth InterAct initiatives:
o The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) provides young people with an opportunity to take a leading role in participation and consultation activities on issues that affect their lives; raise awareness of the aspirations, needs and concerns of young people; and facilitate interaction between young people, the ACT Government and the wider community.
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