Truth-telling in the classroom: whose voices, whose stories and whose responsibility?
The histories and experiences of First Nations people are threaded throughout the Civics and Citizenship curriculum across themes such as activism and the movement for civil rights, the impact of colonisation and government policies, and perspectives of First Nations peoples on ideas about citizenship, law and justice.
This webinar will explore a range of questions relevant to the teaching of Civics and Citizenship, including:
- Whose knowledge and voice is being centred?
- Who is telling the story, and from what position?
- What happens when the truth being taught creates discomfort?
- How do we move students away from blame and towards responsibility and agency?
- What does culturally safe teaching look like when the content itself is confronting?
- How do we avoid reducing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories to isolated events or ‘content’ rather than understanding the continuing impact on contemporary Australia?
About our speaker
Larissa Taylor is a Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti descendant and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum Lead and Lecturer in Indigenous Health at Flinders University. Her professional experience spans higher education, vocational education, government and community settings.
Larissa’s work focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, cultural safety, truth-telling, and challenging the systems and educational practices that continue to shape the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She encourages educators to critically reflect on their practice and recognise the responsibilities that come with teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and contemporary experiences.
