As part of the oldest continuous cultures in the world, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities hold rich knowledge and diverse experiences of knowing, being and doing that have thrived and adapted over millennia. It is important to foster deep understandings of this in your learning community.
Involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members in committees will enhance your strategies and decisions, especially at the local level.
This is beneficial even if your school or early learning service has no Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students or children. It is essential that others actively listen to these perspectives and seriously consider them when making decisions.
If there are no Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at your school or early learning service, create opportunities for external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders to join relevant committees.
If you have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and children at your school or early learning service, this representation on your committees is particularly important.
The membership of governance bodies must reflect the diversity of the student body in your learning community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have a right to have a say in decision-making, especially decisions that affect them.