Yarning In Progress: Education Quarterly, Issue 6 2023
The Uluru Statement from the Heart Explainer Video (2019) produced by filmmaker Rachel Perkins and law professor Megan Davis is an educational resource designed to assist teachers and students to understand the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This 18-minute video is accompanied by a study guide for secondary students produced by Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM). Both resources are accessible in the Member portal on Federation’s website.
Teachers can use the Uluru Statement from the Heart explainer video to:
- build knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians
- foster knowledge of, respect for, and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, culture and contributions
- provide an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to see themselves, their identities, their histories, and their cultures portrayed on the screen.
The study guide is divided into sections that address the three key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart: Voice, Treaty and Truth. This allows teachers to select information and activities specific to their students’ needs in the curriculum areas of English, Civics and Citizenship and History in years 7–10, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian History, Australian Politics and English in years 11 and 12.
Activities in the study guide can be selected to meet the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures in all learning areas, providing an opportunity for all learners to deepen their knowledge of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayor is suitable to explain the Uluru Statement from the Heart to K–6 students. This picture book relates to the key learning areas of English, History, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
It helps to unpack the Uluru Statement from the Heart, outlining what it is, how and why it came about and why it matters. The full text of the Uluru Statement is included in the back of the book, along with a section explaining it, which is useful for older readers.
Importantly, the book highlights that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are calling for a Voice to give them a say in how Australia is governed and run and provides a section of practical things that children can do to support the Uluru Statement.
Through sharing these resources, and starting conversations in our schools, it is hoped that our students will continue these conversations at home with their families.