This page provides information on the AEU's activities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, including the AEU's representative structures which are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
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What's New
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Representation in the AEU
There are a number of ways that the AEU includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in its decision-making structures. For more information see:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Committees;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Federal Conference Delegates;
- Designated position on the AEU Federal Executive;
- Observer position on the AEU TAFE Executive;
- Membership and work with other AEU Committees.
The AEU has developed an Information Kit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members working with the Federal AEU which provides more information on roles, responsibilities and duties.
Campaigns:
Education is the Key. An Educational Future for Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Education Funding
Changes to Federally funded Indigenous Education programs for the 2005 – 2008 quadrennium have had a significant impact on the way programs will be run in schools.
For more information see:
Indigenous Studies for Teachers
The AEU believes that all teachers employed in the public education system in Australia should complete a comprehensive sequence of Indigenous studies as a minimum requirement for their employment.
For more information see:
AEU Annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Seminar
The AEU runs an annual seminar on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education as an adjunct to its Annual Federal Conference program.
For reports on the seminar and more information see:
The Arthur Hamilton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education
Since 1999 the AEU has conducted an annual award process for AEU members who demonstrate a commitment to the process of Reconciliation through education. The 2005 AEU Annual Federal Conference determined to re-name the award the 'Arthur Hamilton Award for Reconciliation in Education' in honour of Arthur who passed away in 2004 after a short struggle with cancer. Arthur was a proud Palawa man, Unionist and Educator from Tasmania whose leadership within the AEU will be sorely missed. The Award has now been renamed the Arthur Hamilton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education.
The AEU is pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 AEU Arthur Hamilton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education.
Previous Winners:
AEU Policies on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Issues
The AEU has developed policies on issues relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in the Public Education System:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment, Retention and Activism
Involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members in the AEU is an AEU priority. As such, the AEU has developed an Indigenous Activism Strategy, Footprints to Our Future, to provide information to Union officials and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. This will shortly be made available on the AEU website. For more information see:
Newsletters
- Our Voices Our Vision - Newsletter produced by the AEU for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, Issue 5 - Autumn, 2009
- Our Voices Our Vision - Newsletter produced by the AEU for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, Issue 4 - Winter, 2008
- Our Voices Our Vision - Newsletter produced by the AEU for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, Issue 3 - Spring, 2007
- Our Voices Our Vision - Newsletter produced by the AEU for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, Issue 2 - Winter, 2006
- Our Voices Our Vision - Newsletter produced by the AEU for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, Issue 1 - Autumn, 2006
Media Releases
Apology to Stolen Generations
Resources and Events
The AEU works with and promotes a range of activities that compliment and support our work in Indigenous education. Resource materials and information on events can be found here:
- AEU Reconciliation Week Statement
The AEU joins with other organisations and individuals across Australia in celebrating National Reconciliation Week held from 27 May to 3 June 2009.
- Anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations
On 13 February 2008, Australians everywhere stopped to hear Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd deliver the national apology to the Stolen Generations.
- Global Campaign for Education
In Australia most Australian children have access to schooling across all years, from preparatory year to year 12. However many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children do not have access to compulsory and post compulsory schooling in their home communities. Click here to access further information
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
"Spirit of Reconciliation" Poster Competition
To celebrate International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2004, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) invited secondary school students across Australia to show what the 'Spirit of reconciliation' means to them by entering their poster competition. The competition was an overwhelming success with more than 200 entries.
- "Bringing Them Home" Education Resource
This Human Rights education resource has been produced for Australian schools by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. It is an interactive, resource rich human rights education module based on the stories, findings, recommendations and responses to the report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families.
- National Day of Healing
Healing Day events are held annually on 26 May. The AEU encourages members to join the events taking place in towns and cities around the country. Community events are held which remember the pain and tragedy as well as celebrate the greatness of spirit which tragic happenings reveal. The AEU has formally expressed its sorrow for the role played by education departments and teachers in the removal of indigenous children.
- A Fair Go: A Community Kit For Action Against Racism
This kit has been produced by the National Non-Government Organisation Coalition against Racism. Click here for more information on the AEU Campaign "Say No to Racism".
- NAIDOC Week
In 1957, the National Aborigines' Day Observance Committee (NADOC), with the support and co-operation of the Federal and State Governments, the churches and major Aboriginal organisations, was formed. In 1957, an Aboriginal Pastor, Sir Douglas Nicholls, persuaded the NMCA to nominate the second Sunday in July to be a day of remembrance of Aboriginal people and heritage. In 1991, NADOC became known as NAIDOC to include Torres Strait Islanders.
NAIDOC is now used widely to refer to all the events and celebrations that go on during National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Week. Each year NAIDOC Week has a theme, which represents issues important to Indigenous people.
Further information including dates and events for 2007can be found on the NAIDOC website at http://www.naidoc.org.au
- Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country
Guidelines and Protocols for NSW Public Schools and TAFE NSW Institutes - prepared by NSW Department of Education and Training, the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (Inc) (NSW AECG Inc), and the New South Wales Teachers Federation.
