LEARNING ACTIVITY
Whose Country: exploring First Nations peoples languages map (7-13yrs)
Climate Region: Arid | Temperate | Tropical
State or Territory: ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
Age Range: 7-13

STORY

Jarrah and his younger cousin Alira were both brought up in Canberra - Ngunnawal Country. They have cousins and family in many parts of the Country including in their home town of Bathurst - Wiradjuri country and in Batemans Bay - down in Yuin Country. The grew up understanding the importance of acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands they live on, and to pay respect to local custodians of that area.

Jarrah enjoys hearing from his cousins and from Adam, who is from Dubbo Wiradjuri Country, about what is special to them about their Country. Sometimes Adam will teach Jarrah words from Wiradjuri language. Today, they practiced the Wiradjuri word Murnong for the Yam Daisy that they had recently planted.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

This activity introduces the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations peoples of this Country. They are the traditional custodians of the lands, waterways and skies across Australia and it is important for us to recognise that.

A Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country are opportunities for all people to show respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, and build understanding of their languages and connections to Country.

Anyone can do an Acknowledgement of Country to acknowledge the Country that they are on. Only an Elder from that Country can do a Welcome to Country.

Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages can help children build their understanding of land, water and people. This activity helps to assist the identification of the language group/s on which the school, youth group or home is situated.

To understand local perspectives and support these activities, we recommend reaching out to the local Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples who can assist in knowledge sharing and understanding the local land, histories and culture. This is an important consideration to ensure that any reconciliation initiatives are being driven in a local, meaningful way.

Outcomes

For children to:

  • understand that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the traditional custodians of Australia’s land, waterways and skies
  • learn that Australia is made up of many different communities of First Nations peoples and there is a variation between and within each group
  • appreciate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia identify the language group in their local area.
SEASONAL NOTES

This activity can be done at any time of the year.

Did you know?

‘Murnong’ is Yam Daisy in a few languages including Wiradjuri. When a plant, animal or other carries the same word across different tribal groups it suggests its importance in trade, ceremony and story as the word is understood by many different language groups.

Did you know?

‘Guwandang’ is Wiradjuri for Quandong. This fruit is a prized food for First Nations peoples in the hot and dry inland areas of Australia. Seed kernels can be cracked to reveal a tasty edible nut likened to macadamia in size with slight coconut flavour.

Did you know?

Guwandang is known as a teaching tree as young children learn stories and important cultural teachings from their Elders as they harvest the fruits.

Did you know?

Prior to European settlement, there were more than 250 First Nations peoples language groups with over 800 dialects spoken across Australia.

Why not try one of our other Junior Landcare learning activities?

Creating an Indigenous plant-use garden: plant list

First Nations Perspectives

Creating an Indigenous plant-use garden: resources from the bush

First Nations Perspectives

Love Letters to the Land

Biodiversity|First Nations Perspectives|Food Production|Waste Management

Creating a yarning circle: involving First Nations people

First Nations Perspectives