An Introduction to our First Peoples for Young Australians
Australia is alive with the long history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, our cultures and our stories. My generation of Aboriginal people want young Australians to be taught more about our history and culture than we were. I have met very few Australians who learned anything in school about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many have told me that if they were taught anything at all, it was incorrect and often racist. In fact, many Australians think that the only ‘real’ Aboriginal people are those who live in the deserts. This idea is based on two centuries of racist views that were wrong and should have no place in modern Australia.’ – Professor Marcia Langton
Written by one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous voices, Welcome to Countryis essential reading for every young Australian. The chapters cover prehistory, post-colonial history, language, kinship, knowledge, art, performance, storytelling, Native Title, the Stolen Generations, making a rightful place for First Australians and looking to the future for Indigenous Australia. This book is for the new Australian generations and works towards rectifying the wrongs of this country’s past. You will quickly appreciate how lucky we are to be the home of the world’s oldest continuing civilisation – which is both diverse and thriving in Australia today.
Detailed teachers' notes that explain how to apply the book to a range of subjects for Years 7 through 10 students can be downloaded online here.
Cover artwork New Roocruits by Archibald-finalist Blak Douglas
