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provided with ideas on how they can teach students about this event. Although, strictly
speaking, not part of a History curriculum, it has nevertheless been selected for analysis as it
is placed within the Social Studies curriculum, providing an example of Indigenous
representations in the early grades of primary school. It also emphasizes the a-historical way
Indigenous representations are presented to school students; with no historical context or
background provided of this celebration (however it is important to note that the other special
days are also represented in this way, so this is not unique to Indigenous representations, in
this case). Instead, students learn about Indigenous culture through storytelling, instrument
playing and the Aboriginal flag (the Torres Strait Islander flag is not included).
In an early example (and the first out of the school curriculum documents selected for
analysis as part of this research) of extending student knowledge and understanding of
Indigenous Australians, Torres Strait Islanders are given a brief mention, in the introductory
note (see Source 7.56). However, in the main content, only Aboriginals are mentioned;
demonstrating the beginning of a move towards recognising the multitude of cultures that
make up Australia’s Indigenous population. Whereas now it is commonplace in Queensland
at least, to discuss Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders together when referring to special
events or issues, this was not the case in earlier periods, such as in the lead up to 1988.
Source 7.56. “Special days” extract from Primary Social Studies sourcebook year 3
(Department of Education, 1987a, p. 131).
Throughout the suggested classroom activities ideas for teachers to select from, Indigenous
Australians are still represented only in a traditional cultural environment, with no
recognition of contribution to contemporary or mainstream society. Again, this may be due to
the age of the students this sourcebook is aimed at, so rather than seeing this as a deficit, it is
noted more as an observation of the general representations of Indigenous Australians to this
age group. What is apparent is a focus on showcasing Indigenous knowledges and cultures,
with a few key phrases indicating this, demonstrated in Source 7.57.
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