Our future is in good hands !
FISH-Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health continues to work together with more and more schools and educational institutions through long term targets that provides the opportunity for all young Australians to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal histories and cultures, deep knowledge of traditions and holistic world views, creating an educational environment of acknowledgement, acceptance, understanding and respect.
The FISH team recently ran some workshops with Year 12 students and they are always impressed with the thought and commitment the young people show to sharing stories and gaining a deeper understanding. The following comments were received back from recent programs:
“I really want to see a change in the education system and mandatory education in local Aboriginal history in order for everyone to realise the struggles of the Aboriginal community and challenge their stereotypical views of the Aboriginal peoples. I know that for me personally I will start to advocate for positive changes and better education for the community thanks to the amazing stories told yesterday. Thank you!”
“I think it has changed my feelings greatly on a level of understanding, we haven't been taught much on indigenous culture in Australia so it was interesting and fresh to hear this information come out to the forefront and actually know that this trauma will continue to pass down to future generations because it doesn't effect just those who had experienced these events but the ancestors of these people as those moments where such defining and horrific events that scar the history of indigenous culture.”
“I was really astounded at the difference between how when white politicians come to our school to speak they give their own opinions and ideas about how to move forward with Aboriginal people, but with FISH they brought us all together in order to give ideas about how to move forward together.”
“It has really sparked an interest in learning about the local Aboriginal people’s history and being educated in the events and people that have happened and live here.”
“Yesterday, I learnt how the Stolen Generation was treated. I already have learnt a little bit about the Stolen Generation from primary school, but hearing if first hand yesterday from Koodah, was really touching. I didn't know how they were treated; this includes how they were taking away from their parents and that their parents couldn't do anything, and it they did they would be put in jail. I also didn't know that they were taken from such a young age and put into the missions - with no form of education. But the main part that I didn't know was the timeline of events in which white people put all these rules and guidelines in place to strip the aboriginal people of their identity.”
Great to see so many young people who are deep thinkers who want to bring positive sustainable change to our community. To want to understand our past, know the impact that has today, to gives us all a firm foundation to positively move forward together !
One of the most often asked question from students FISH works with is 'why do we keep being fed a sanitised version of Australian history. If we are not given the opportunity to really understand our past, including the policies and legislation, how can we learn from it, understand why we are in the situation we are in today and then know how together we can move forward positively?"