Indigenous Curriculum: Positive And Negative Stereotypes

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Introduction
Successful relationships and curriculum development can only be created by developing a thorough understanding of Indigenous culture through the lens of the local Indigenous community. To develop a holistic understanding of local culture relationships must extend beyond a student’s family to include community Elders, leaders, decedents and kinship of the student. Learning the importance of Indigenous Australians connection to country, cultural identity and history through these relationships ensure educators are in the best position to develop an inclusive, engaging and respectful curriculum. An inclusive curriculum should support positive cultural identity, is culturally respectful and values the opinions and needs of Indigenous …show more content…

Preparation to Teach: Identity Culture and Stereotypes
I have developed a sound introduction to the broad influences that shape the negative stereotype of Indigenous Australians today. Influences are broad and range from a student’s family experiences, culture and values and beliefs reinforced by weak political debate and poor curriculum development all add to the negative stereotype. To ensure that my pedagogy is not unintentionally adding to these negative stereotypes I planned to be educated on the local Wathaurong tribe.
I believed negative perceptions of Indigenous people were embedded in uneducated assumptions. This understanding is embedded in my heavy exposure to Indigenous leadership contesting white Australian beliefs. Sara (2014) challenged my theory by raising the concept of ‘Stronger Smarter Leadership’, that is, those that focus beyond victim status. Sara (2014, p. 13-17) suggested focusing too much on victim status can adversely affect the perception and outcomes of Indigenous aspirations. I agree with Sara (2014), however, after watching Awaken, I believe that the direction of leadership Indigenous Australians choose to take is linked to generational factors, their connection to the land and the connection with the invasion of 1788 (Grant, 2014: Harrison & Sellwood, 2016, …show more content…

Particularly confronting was the proposal that the capacity for Indigenous Australians to develop intelligence is low and that the brain development of Indigenous Australians ceased between 12 and 14 years of age (Groome & Garner 1993). White Australians historical view and opinions of Indigenous people provide relevant information to the reluctant behaviour of Indigenous Australians towards education. This understanding also substantiates the importance of learning Indigenous stories of cultural events (Harrison & Sellwood, 2016,

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