As I Remember

The Tasmanian Education Department has set out to develop and publish curriculum materials of relevance to Aboriginal students. As I Remember is for students in Years 5-8: a collection of audio recordings of interviews with eleven Tasmanian Aboriginal people, capturing their lived experiences, in order to support improved literacy among Aboriginal students.

The impetus was the suggestion in Bringing Them Home that there are important stories about Indigenous people that have not been told and could soon be lost. In the historical context of Tasmania, it has seemed particularly important that Aboriginal students have culturally relevant learning materials that affirm their identity, respect their past and verify the lineage of their people. Furthermore, the assumptions and prejudices of some non-Aboriginal people need to be challenged and refuted.

What happened

A reference group was established, with representatives of the Department of Education, the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, the Elders' Association and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.

Interviewees were selected, representing the main family groups in Tasmania. An interviewer, a researcher (both Aboriginal people) and a photographer were employed to conduct the interviews. Several common themes emerged from these: educational opportunities, schooling, family life and work. The Reference Group agreed that some issues-based recordings would also be of value to teachers and students and the final package includes edited interviews and thematic presentations.

Three schools with comparatively high populations of Indigenous students trialed the package which was published in 2000.

What has been learnt

Careful negotiation over time is necessary if community trust and acceptance are to be achieved.

Teachers have found a multiplicity of ways to use the materials. The generalisability of the human experiences captured has been important.

As a result of their participation, some students have been encouraged to identify their Aboriginality and many have taken more pride in their heritage. Recognition and accreditation of cultural knowledge and experience has a powerful effect on the sense of identity and self-esteem of Indigenous students, as well as their school performance.

The Kit

The Kit consists of four booklets and four CD-ROM.

One of the booklets is a Teacher's Guide which includes an overview of the thematic recordings, suggested student activities and an assessment guide. Two contain written biographies with family background, some personal comments on events and relevant historical explanations. The fourth is a collection of photos of the subjects.

Two of the audio CD-ROMs contain edited interviews with the eleven Aboriginal people chosen to participate; and two are structured around themes: family and daily life, schooling and education, culture and community, and identity.

Availability:
Complementary copies were provided to Tasmanian schools and participants. It was the wish of the Elders that they not be for sale. This could provide an incentive to record such important memories more widely.