First Nations cultures in Australia are unique in values, customs, lore and practices.
This program introduces secondary students to the diversity of First Nations cultures and their continuing connections to Country by exploring examples of fishing and aquaculture technologies from across Australia throughout time.
Students will closely examine cultural objects in the exhibitions to gain knowledge and insights about First Nations hunting tools, techniques, climates, species and management practices used in freshwater and saltwater areas of Australia.
Students will apply their learning in a variety of hands-on activities by:
- Handling and viewing authentic cultural objects including fishhooks, eel traps, fishing nets and watercraft (nawi)
- Practicing traditional weaving techniques used to make fishing nets
- Building a model diorama of a tidal fish trap and explain the environmental conditions needed for it to work
Booking information
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $20 per student
Ratio: A supervisor to student ratio of 1:15 applies for all programs.
Accessibility: This program is held in the museum galleries and learning centre. There is ramp and lift access to all exhibition spaces within the main museum building. To ensure all students and supervisors have a positive experience at the museum, please indicate if anyone in your group has additional support needs at the time of booking.
For more information on preparing for your visit, please see Plan Your School Visit.
Curriculum links
NSW curriculum – Stage 4
History
Depth Study 1: Investigating the Ancient Past
HT4-6 uses evidence from sources to support historical narratives and explanations
HT4-9 uses a range of historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past
Content:
The nature of the sources for ancient Australia and what they reveal about Australia's past in the ancient period, such as the use of resources (ACDSEH031)
Students:
- locate and describe a variety of sources for ancient Australia, eg animal and human remains, tools, middens, art and stories and sites related to the Dreaming
- investigate what these sources reveal about Australia's ancient past
The importance of conserving the remains of the ancient past, including the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (ACDSEH148)
Students:
- describe an Australian site which has preserved the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- using a range of sources, including digital sources, eg UNESCO World Heritage criteria for ancient sites, choose ONE site to explain why it is important for a chosen site to be preserved and conserved
Geography
Water in the world
GE4-3 explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change
GE4-5 discusses management of places and environments for their sustainability
Content:
investigate the economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic values of water for people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and/or peoples of the Asia region, for example: (ACHGK041)
- description of the ways water is used by people eg agricultural, commercial, industrial and recreational uses VR
- discussion of variations in people’s perceptions about the value of water eg economic versus aesthetic
- comparison of the importance of water to ONE Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community and/or ONE Asian community
Australian Curriculum – Year 7
Year 7 History – Deep time history of Australia
AC9HH7K05 the technological achievements of early First Nations Australians, and how these developed in different places and contributed to daily life, and land and water source management
- exploring land and water management practices developed by early First Nations Australians, such as cultural burning practices, and the conservation and use of water through the development of weirs, irrigation and water evaporation reduction systems
- exploring aquaculture practices developed by early First Nations Australians, such as eel traps of the Gundtitjmara People at Budj Bim, Victoria, the mollusc harvesting of the Kombumerri People on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and stone fish traps used by the Ngemba People at Brewarrina, New South Wales
Year 7 Geography
AC9HG7K03 The economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic value of water for people, including First Nations Australians
AC9HG7K07 The cultural connectedness of people to places and how this influences their identity, sense of belonging and perceptions of a place, in particular the cultural connectedness of First Nations Australians to Country/Place
Year 7 Science
AC9S7H01 explain how new evidence or different perspectives can lead to changes in scientific knowledge
- investigating how the land management practices of First Nations Australians inform contemporary management of the environment to protect biodiversity