To create a society that embraces diversity and inclusion, it is critical that truth telling, the history of colonisation and its impact on Aboriginal people is fully known.
Victoria’s leading Indigenous organisation, the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) offers a number of programs designed to introduce the history of Victorian Aboriginal people, their culture and identity, and create an awareness of Aboriginal communities today through understanding the past.
The Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency programs provide tools for effective cultural engagement with Aboriginal people in a respectful and meaningful way. These programs are available for organisations and individuals.
This is delivered by experienced facilitators, each who bring their own personal stories and experience and provide an insight and understanding of the complex issues concerning our Aboriginal communities and what it means to be an Aboriginal person today. The programs are based around experiential/ participatory learning that encourage reflection on your own values, beliefs and behaviour.
‘The history of colonisation and its impact on my people is not really understood. Cultural awareness connects people to each other, it is here when we can tell our story, the story of Australia prior to and post colonisation, that we can understand each other. Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency is vital for a greater understanding of the issues that impact on Aboriginal people and addressing these issues with cultural sensitivity,’ say Rob Hyatt, Education Manager, Koorie Heritage Trust.
Topics and issues covered include:
- Cultural awareness, competency and safety – meaning and importance;
- Australian settlement history (myths and untold stories and the legacy impact of colonisation);
- Identity – definitions of Aboriginality; Aboriginal family values, land and identity;
- The Aboriginal community today – current issues and topics, saying sorry, terminologies and statistical outline of Australia’s Aboriginal population; and develop strategies for engaging and working with Aboriginal people
During Covid-19 restrictions, all programs are delivered via Zoom.
Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency programs, full details here: https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/visit-us/education/#cultural-competency
Koorie Heritage Trust, Yarra Building, Federation Square. www.koorieheritagetrust.com.au
