Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are warned that this document contains images, voices and music of deceased persons.

This resource contains the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property of the following Indigenous peoples; Woorabinda Birri-Gubba, Trawlwoolway, Latjilatji, Gunditjamara, Boorong, Yolnu, Barapa Barapa, Bundjalung, Wadawurrung, Anindilyakwa, Jawoyn.

We appreciate that spellings for words from First Australian languages are inconsistent across many sources and continue to consult and check with relevant communities.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority in the Australian Curriculum is designed so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can see themselves, their identities and their cultures reflected in the curriculum of each of the learning areas, can fully participate in the curriculum and can build their self-esteem, and for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

This resource was developed to meet the requirements of the elaborations in the Australian Curriculum: Science (F-10) that demonstrate the connections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and core science concepts in the Australian Curriculum. The elaborations acknowledge that Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have worked scientifically for millennia and continue to contribute to contemporary science. These elaborations have the potential to make learning more relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and, as a result, help increase their participation in STEM subjects. They also provide the opportunity to embed a uniquely Australian perspective into the Science curriculum.

In the production process, agreement has been reached regarding the amount of proceeds being allocated to the groups whose knowledge appears. We thank Stewart Smith, Woorabinda & Birri-Gubba Elder, for his ongoing support in using this resource as an educational tool.

We continue to be grateful for these treasures of national significance.

The Indigenous Starwheel, first published in 1996 to celebrate NAIDOC Week, is the result of intercultural collaboration and a shared love of astronomy between Gapingaru Naputa, Indigenous Elder of the Woorabinda Nation, and Non-Indigenous astronomer and founder of the NSW Astronomical Society, Gordon Patston. The resource also shows collaboration between members of other Indigenous Nations - The cover artwork was designed by Indigenous artist Kylie Russell of the Gamilaroi People, and the stories are accompanied on didgeridoo and clapsticks by Sam Kerr, Indigenous musician of the Wamba Wamba Djadjawurrng People.

Elders of the Woorabinda Nation have provided permission for Gapingaru’s voice to be used in this recording in order to preserve and share their culture and his work. Gapingaru Naputa received permission from the Indigenous Nations whose stories appear in this publication.

This resource is illustrative of Indigenous astronomical stories across Australia and is not representative of all stories.

Introduction to Indigenous Creativity

For at least 60,000 years our First Nations People have been using social, medical, ecological and STEM creativity to solve problems. It was their creativity and adaptability that enabled them to flourish throughout the Australian continent for millennia. The past 20 years have seen a significant shift in how Indigenous Culture is presented in Australian education. Indigenous nations around the country are exploring similarities and synergies between their diverse cultures. Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures are now cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum.

Historically, some teachers have found it challenging to incorporate subject and content areas with Cross-Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities. We offer resources and workshops to assist educators and learners in this area. In addition to clear relevance to the Learning Areas, General Capabilities and Curriculum Priorities of the National Curriculum, our resources can be utilised in alignment with the learning progressions in Literacy and Numeracy of state curricula.

An example of our Indigenous creativity resources is the Indigenous starwheel. This unique resource offers an holistic view of teaching astronomy, and other elements of Indigenous culture, by highlighting individual stories from a range of Indigenous nations. It is not representative of all Indigenous nations but offers a unique perspective of the similarities in the observational and creative skills of our First Nations’ peoples.

The starwheel is the result of intercultural collaboration between Gapingaru Naputa, Indigenous Elder of the Woorabinda Nation, and non-Indigenous astronomer and founder of the NSW Astronomical Society, Gordon Patston. The resource also shows collaboration between members of other Indigenous Nations - The cover artwork was designed by Indigenous artist Kylie Russell of the Gamilaroi People, and the stories are accompanied on didgeridoo and clapsticks by Sam Kerr, Indigenous musician of the Wamba Wamba Djadjawurrng People.