A Message from Culture Is Life’s CEO, Belinda Duarte

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this unceded land, this beautiful country we call Australia. We acknowledge the Elders and old people who have endured the impacts of colonisation on our cultures and the resilience they embody which inspire our work daily.

We at Culture is Life are committed to ensuring the truth of First People’s history is told, heard and known by every Australian, which is why we are so passionate about our work in education and supporting teachers and staff in their huge role and relationships with their students.

Our Education Resources are our contribution to inspiring a curiosity and commitment to building relationships together between First Peoples and Non-Indigenous Australia, and a united commitment to honouring the history of this country and the oldest living culture in the world.

In understanding the truth of this country we can therefore understand why we are where we are today and forge the collective healing required to create a stronger, healthier country into our future.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

– Belinda Duarte (Wotjobaluk/Dja Dja Wurrung)

The Resources

‘Teaching First Nations Knowledges & Perspectives: A Guide to Creating Safe Learning Environments’ Education Resource

Culture is Life’s education projects include curriculum resource development, social impact campaigns and teacher training. All materials are developed by a collective of First Nations educators and young people to inspire teachers to creatively embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, peoples and cultures in their classrooms.

We hope that this guide offers some guidance to support you in feeling more confident and competent in your teaching and helps to create safe learning environments for all young people.

‘The Australian Wars’ Education Resources

The story of Australia’s longest and perhaps most defining war has been kept silent – until now. Over three parts, this ground-breaking documentary series gives voice to the story of The Australian Wars – the battles fought on home soil, as the colonial frontier pushed forward, and First Nations peoples resisted.

Culture is Life have produced extensive curriculum aligned resources for levels 10-12, freely accessible on our website! Classroom ready short clips with aligned resources for Levels 9-12 can be accessed also on SBS Learn including essential Cultural Considerations for teachers before delivering in the classroom.

Training Opportunities

Culture is Life provide professional development opportunities for educators to connect with our First Nations resource writers.

The professional development sessions aim to support educators to:

• Create culturally safe environments for young people

• Embed First Nations content, values and approaches respectfully

• Increase awareness and better understanding of our nation’s history

• Provide access to more First Nations-led and co-designed educational materials, training and tools

• Increase understanding and skills to support holistic wellbeing outcomes

Webinar: Teaching The Australian Wars and First Nations Knowledges and Perspectives

Our next webinar is ‘Teaching The Australian Wars and First Nations Knowledges and Perspectives’ and is at 5:30pm on Wednesday the 9th of November, 2022.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 9th November 2022

Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30pm

Place: Online Event

Click here to get your tickets.


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CW: Suicide ⚠️

Today, September 10th, marks World Suicide Prevention Day. As we wind down from the day, we invite you to light a candle and take a moment to honour and remember those we have lost to suicide. A simple but meaningful wellbeing ritual that you can continue throughout the rest of the year. 🕯️

As always, we stand together as a community, honouring our Ancestors and strengthening our connection to Country, culture and community. Together, we can find strength and healing. ❤️‍🩹

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 immediately.

For more help, you can contact:
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
or 13Yarn on 13 92 76

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD #WSPD2024
Yarning up with Professor Pat Dudgeon, respected Elder, trailblazer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and Co-Chair of Culture is Life! 💬

Aunty Pat talks about psychology within Indigenous communities, collaboration with Aboriginal medical services, reviving traditional ceremonies for holistic health, the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project and innovative ways to engage and support young people on the episode 149 of the Black Magic Woman podcast with Mundanara Bayles. ✨
“We honour the flame of the fire, kindling the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.” - Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO (Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi) Co-Chair, National NAIDOC Committee 🔥
 
We wanted to pay our respects and give a special shout out to Aunty Lynette Riley AO, for her leadership and guidance in all that she does but particularly with the Official 2024 NAIDOC Week Education Resources. 🎓
 
Aunty Lynette is holding a virtual workshop with the 2024 Fullaship Program, to discuss the education resources, her long history of decolonisation within the education space and share her knowledge and perspectives with some of our deadly emerging leaders. 🥳 Thank you Aunty Lynette for everything you do! 🙏🏽
 
📸 Steven Satour and Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO, Co-Chairs of the National NAIDOC Committee at the 2024 NAIDOC Week VIP Luncheon via @koorimailnewspaper 

#NAIDOC #NAIDOCWeek #FullashipProgram