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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives

This guide provides information and resources for supporting Indigenous knowledge in teaching and research practices.

Upcoming Research Spotlight webinars

A collection of computer and laptop screens showing online meetings.

We run regular online presentations by guest speakers on different aspects of research. Recordings of past webinars are also available.

RMIT's Open Scholarship Policy - What it means for you as a researcher.

Hosted by Anne Lennox and Tristan Badham from the Library's Research Support and Services team, the session will delve into the core aspects of open research and gain a comprehensive understanding of the university's enterprise-wide policy.  

This session aims to heighten awareness and illuminate the crucial role researchers play in advancing open scholarship. Explore the policy's implications for your work and discover how you can actively contribute to the university's commitment to open research practices.  

Date & Time:  February 21, 2.20pm to 3.30pm


Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

Upcoming Teaching Spotlight webinars

A collection of computer and laptop screens showing online meetings.

We run regular online presentations by guest speakers on different aspects of teaching. Recordings of past webinars are also available.

RMIT's Open Scholarship Policy - What It Means For You as an Educator

Join us for a session introducing RMIT’s Open Scholarship Policy as we discuss what it means for you as an educator. 

Delve into the core aspects of open education and gain a comprehensive understanding of the university's enterprise-wide policy.  

This session aims to heighten awareness and illuminate the crucial role educators play in advancing open scholarship. Explore the policy's implications for your work and discover how you can actively contribute to the university's commitment to open educational practices.  

Date & Time:  March 20, 2.30pm to 3.30pm


Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

Acknowledgement of Country

artworkRMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Image: Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa, All rights reserved

Variance in terminology

RMIT University Library acknowledges that discrimination and prejudice are expressed through language and that attitudes and cultural values are evident in the way we choose words. This library guide has interchangeably used the terms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous and First Nations. We did not always choose the words, but rather the resource being referred to uses those words. This library guide was constructed with the core value of Respect.

Indigenous engagement at RMIT

Cultural competency

Uluru Statement from the Heart

uluru statementIn 2017 a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives from around Australia produced the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This landmark document calls for recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty, constitutional reform, a Makaratta (Treaty), truth-telling, and a voice to Parliament. Explore the Statement and its background.

"File:Uluru Statement.jpg" by BrownHoneyAnt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Indigenous Cultural Competency in Australian Universities

Five principles guide the Indigenous Cultural Competency in Australian Universities Best Practice Framework:

  1. Indigenous people should be actively involved in university governance and management.
  2. All graduates of Australian universities will have the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a culturally competent way with Indigenous communities.
  3. University research will be conducted in a culturally competent way in partnership with Indigenous participants.
  4. Indigenous staffing will be increased at all appointment levels and, for academic staff, across a wider variety of academic fields.
  5. Universities will operate in partnership with their Indigenous communities and will help disseminate culturally competent practices to the wider community.

"Indigenous Cultural Competency Framework" by Universities Australia is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Training

Books

Book cover attribution

Frawley, J., Russell, G., & Sherwood, J. (Eds.). (2020). Cultural competence and the higher education sector: Australian perspectives, policies and practice Springer. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Hill, B., Harris, J., & Bacchus, R. (Eds.). (2020) Teaching Aboriginal cultural competence: authentic approaches Springer.
Mayor, T. (2019). Finding the heart of the nation: the journey of the Uluru Statement towards voice, treaty and truth Hardie Grant Travel. Cover image © Tourism Australia. All rights reserved.