Towards an Australian First Nations' Senior Secondary Curriculum

In 2019 Australia's first, international comparative First Nations' senior secondary curriculum was introduced in Tasmania. 

Up until the accreditation of First Nations Studies Level 3 there has been not been an Australian senior secondary course which is explicitly and centrally focused on the experiences, histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in an internationally comparative context. Given the challenges facing Australia in reconciling itself to its past, the ongoing public discourse around issues of of truth-telling, treaty making and Indigenous self-determination as well as the importance of cultural revival and constitutional recognition and voice, it is considered critical that senior students develop an understanding of the commonalities and discommonalities of the experiences of Australian First Nations compared to the experiences, successes and challenges of First Nations across the globe

This paper will outline the rationale, course content and assessment arrangements as well as outlining international exemplars of curriculum and pedagogy which have informed and influenced the development of the course.