THE STREAMS EDUCATION POLICY SURVEY |
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this document may come across.
Acknowledgment must be given to the special relationship that Australia’s First Peoples have with their Traditional Lands and waters, as well as the unique histories and diverse cultures, customs, circumstances and perspectives.
Overview
As Australia progresses into a Knowledge Economy what role will Indigenous communities play and will Indigenous sciences and communities who own that knowledge be a core part of the Knowledge Economy. And science tells us that we have reached a point of no return and there needs to be some drastic changes in order for humans to change this cycle but there are still skeptics who are persuasive in their counter arguments of science.
“It doesn’t seem to me that the science is settled at all but I’m not a scientist,” George Brandis told The Guardian.[1]
For many years Indigenous communities and environmentalist all around the globe have warned us about dire consequences for both our environment and human species if we don't change the way we treat the earth.
Dr. David Suzuki, one of the worlds most respected and written about scientist, environmentalist and critically acclaimed Broadcasters who is a big believer when it comes to supporting Indigenous peoples to the discussion and action on Climate Change.
“Just looking at the world in the way Indigenous people do, will change everything.” Dr David Suzuki’.
Indigenous Australian’s has a vast understanding of the world that dates back to 80,000 years or more. They understand how humans fit into the ecology and how to adapt with the earth.
“Within an Indigenous paradigm, Indigenous Sciences are not segregated but part of all aspects of our culture and lore,” says Angie Abdilla.
Indigenous Knowledge has become the accepted term to include the beliefs and understandings of non-western people acquired through long-term association with a place. It is knowledge based on the social, physical and spiritual understandings which have informed the people’s survival and contributed to their sense of being in the world.
It seemed to be a hard concept for Western society to grasp the idea that Indigenous knowledge can translate into very sophisticated science that connects with the natural environment and only in recent years have scientist acknowledged the role Indigenous science plays in sustaining Australia's ecosystem and the positive impact it has on the economy.
“I think Western and Indigenous sciences can come together, one focus should be in the field of archaeology. I think it’s about time Australia revises its history and I feel that they are willing but we need to work together to make this happen." Says Bruce Pascoe.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this document may come across.
Acknowledgment must be given to the special relationship that Australia’s First Peoples have with their Traditional Lands and waters, as well as the unique histories and diverse cultures, customs, circumstances and perspectives.
Overview
As Australia progresses into a Knowledge Economy what role will Indigenous communities play and will Indigenous sciences and communities who own that knowledge be a core part of the Knowledge Economy. And science tells us that we have reached a point of no return and there needs to be some drastic changes in order for humans to change this cycle but there are still skeptics who are persuasive in their counter arguments of science.
“It doesn’t seem to me that the science is settled at all but I’m not a scientist,” George Brandis told The Guardian.[1]
For many years Indigenous communities and environmentalist all around the globe have warned us about dire consequences for both our environment and human species if we don't change the way we treat the earth.
Dr. David Suzuki, one of the worlds most respected and written about scientist, environmentalist and critically acclaimed Broadcasters who is a big believer when it comes to supporting Indigenous peoples to the discussion and action on Climate Change.
“Just looking at the world in the way Indigenous people do, will change everything.” Dr David Suzuki’.
Indigenous Australian’s has a vast understanding of the world that dates back to 80,000 years or more. They understand how humans fit into the ecology and how to adapt with the earth.
“Within an Indigenous paradigm, Indigenous Sciences are not segregated but part of all aspects of our culture and lore,” says Angie Abdilla.
Indigenous Knowledge has become the accepted term to include the beliefs and understandings of non-western people acquired through long-term association with a place. It is knowledge based on the social, physical and spiritual understandings which have informed the people’s survival and contributed to their sense of being in the world.
It seemed to be a hard concept for Western society to grasp the idea that Indigenous knowledge can translate into very sophisticated science that connects with the natural environment and only in recent years have scientist acknowledged the role Indigenous science plays in sustaining Australia's ecosystem and the positive impact it has on the economy.
“I think Western and Indigenous sciences can come together, one focus should be in the field of archaeology. I think it’s about time Australia revises its history and I feel that they are willing but we need to work together to make this happen." Says Bruce Pascoe.
We want a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are leading in science, technology and digital innovation but we need to reform the STEM education to be more reflective of our sciences and knowledge systems and also the community wants and needs.
We propose a STREAMS education model. A model that will enable Indigenous Australians to be at the forefront of Sciences, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Sustainability.