Relevant and notable papers and readings are provided to support better understanding of Aboriginal perspectives and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in education.
Any research undertaken by schools with or about Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islander peoples should follow a process of respectful relationship building and reciprocity between the researchers and the individuals and/or communities involved in the research. There are specific ethical considerations for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and content, which are further expanded below.
Papers
International research papers examining issues related to schooling experiences of Indigenous students, arranged with newest research on top.
- Australian Indigenous students: Addressing equity issues in assessment (PDF, 534.0 KB)
Klenowski, Val (2008) Queensland University of Technology, Australia
- A model of school change for culturally and linguistically diverse students in New Zealand: A summary and evidence from systematic replication (PDF, 154.4 KB)
McNaughton, Stuart and Mei Kuin Li (2008) Woolf Fisher Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- The Impact of High-Stakes Accountability Policies on Native American Learners: Evidence from Research (PDF, 505.5 KB)
McCarty, Teresa L (2008) Arizona State University, USA
- Culturally Responsive Schooling for Indigenous Youth (PDF, 146.8 KB)
Brayboy, Bryan McKinley Jones (2008) University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
Readings
Readings have been compiled to make a wide variety of opinions, perspectives and personal contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people easily accessible to teachers. Readings are not official publications of the QCAA — the ideas or sentiments expressed in them are entirely the author's own and may not reflect QCAA views or policy.
- Too obvious to see (Read001, Aug 2007) (PDF, 222.5 KB)
A paper by Penny Tripcony explaining the basis of Aboriginal spirituality. - The gift of identity (Read002, Aug 2007) (PDF, 191.1 KB)
A paper by Jackie Huggins exploring the complexity and multi-layered nature of identity, in particular, an empowering sense of Aboriginality. - Englishes and literacies (Read003, Aug 2007) (PDF, 191.7 KB)
A paper by Penny Tripcony exploring the variety of literacies relevant to Indigenous students and their communities and offering some suggestions for educators to work more effectively with these students. - Assimilation and discrimination (Read004, Aug 2007) (PDF, 118.5 KB)
Extracts from Charles Duguid's 1963 classic, No Dying Race, detailing particular incidents of racial discrimination during the assimilation period of the 1930s to 60s. - Palm Island case study (Read005, Dec 2007) (PDF, 128.8 KB)
An article by journalist Cameron Forbes, about land rights legislation proposed in Queensland under the Bjelke-Petersen government and how this was seen by and relevant to Palm Islanders. - Wave Hill: A ceremonial return (Read007, Dec 2007) (PDF, 119.1 KB)
Extracts from the inaugural Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture, delivered by Governor-General Sir William Deane in 1996, on the practical and symbolic importance of the 1966 Wave Hill strike and the subsequent grant of a lease to the local Gurindji people. - Apology to stolen generations: Questions and answers (Read012, Jan 2008) (PDF, 208.3 KB)
Information about the Federal Government's proposed apology to the stolen generations. Compiled by Reconciliation Australia. - Apology to Australia’s Indigenous people (Read015 Feb 2008) (PDF, 202.0 KB)
Speech presented to Parliament by Kevin Rudd on 13 February 2008. First mooted as an apology to Australia's stolen generations, Hansard recorded it as an apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples. The motion of apology was passed unanimously.
Ethical research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Important ethical principles relevant to research in schools are set out below, drawn from ethical research guidelines published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
Rights, respect and recognition
- Recognise the diversity and uniqueness of peoples, as well as of individuals.
- Recognise the rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to self-determination.
- Respect and protect the rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their tangible and intangible heritage. This includes artefacts, traditional knowledge, practices, cultural expressions and innovations. Protecting rights requires respect for both Australian intellectual property laws and community protocols.
Negotiation, agreement and mutual understanding
- Ensure that informed consent, freely given, is the foundation for any research with or about Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Commit to consultation and negotiation that achieve shared understanding about the proposed research.
- Record the results of negotiations in a formal agreement for the conduct of a research project.
- Take responsibility for ongoing consultation and negotiation.
Participation, partnership and giving back
- Offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals full participation in research projects and processes, appropriate to their skills and experiences, but recognise that they have other commitments and may prefer an advisory role.
- Ensure that the community involved in research, or who may be affected by research, benefits from, and is not disadvantaged by, the research project.
- Design research outcomes to include specific results that respond to the needs and interests of the community.
Research use, access and reporting
- Negotiate how the research results will be used and accessed.
- Anticipate the evolving use of technology and possible issues of confidentiality that could arise in relation to research results and their storage.
- Include appropriate procedures for reporting on ethical aspects of the research and complying with the AIATSIS guidelines.
- Ensure that there are appropriate, ongoing processes in place for reporting research progress, especially relating to any actual or potential changes in the ethical conditions or context. This is the responsibility of supervising teachers and sponsoring schools or other organisations.
More information
- Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS), produced by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), sets the standards in this field.
- The Australia Council has protocols for working with Indigenous artists in music, writing, and in visual, media and performing arts.
- Indigenous Cultural Protocols and the Arts, produced by Terri Janke and Co, shows how the artists protocols can be used through a range of case studies.
- Last updated:
- 25 July 2018
