Collections of resources to help study important Indigenous topics in the classroom

ABC Education has hundreds of free resources about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. These have been arranged into Collections covering specifics topics, for seamless use in the classroom.

In the Australian Curriculum, “the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.”

ABC Education’s resources unpack many important topics related to Indigenous history and culture, such as place names, agriculture, technology, impacts of colonisation, the Stolen Generations, self-determination, cultural knowledge, connection to Country, identity and belonging

You can find many resources for Foundation to Year 10 that are aligned to history, English, geography, science, technologies, the arts, and civics and citizenship. The resources offer questions for students to answer, discussion points and things for students to think about to direct their learning.

Many of these resources also have an accompanying Teacher’s Guide that highlights cultural considerations when teaching these resources to a class. We’ll be continually adding to this list, so bookmark this article and check back regularly for more fantastic offerings.

These twelve Dreamtime stories from Central Arnhem Land are stories of love, loyalty, duty to Country, and Aboriginal custom and law. Made in collaboration with the Djilpin Aboriginal Arts Corporation, each chapter is supported by an in-depth ATOM study guide, addressing the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. (Years 5–6 history, English)

Something mysterious has been scaring the camp. Two special brothers set off to find out what it is. This story comes from Dalabon Country.

Across Australia, many places are known by their Indigenous names. But what do they mean? In this collection of wonderful videos, Indigenous communities share the stories behind the place names of their Country. Discover the significance of these places and learn Indigenous words and names. (Years F–10 history, civics and citizenship)

National Sorry Day recognises the negative impacts of Australian policies, practices and attitudes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It wasn’t until Prime Minister Paul Keating’s Redfern Park speech that the government acknowledged “the test which so far we have always failed” – the recognition of past wrongs in Australia. (Years 9–10, history, civics and citizenship)

In this collection, we look at scientific research, archival footage and the journals of early explorers and learn about the vast agricultural fields, ingenious aquaculture systems, sophisticated use of fire and successful industries that existed in Australia prior to colonisation. (Years 5–10, geography, history, science, technologies)

Gavi Duncan from the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council introduces Bulgandry, a site near Kariong, NSW, that’s significant for its rare carving of Baiame.

The colonisation of Australia led to many Aboriginal people being forcibly removed from their land and denied the opportunity to practise their cultures. But Aboriginal cultural knowledge has survived through oral traditions, with information being passed down from generation to generation. This collection celebrates the resilience of Aboriginal Australian cultures. (Years F–10, civics and citizenship, history)

In 1768, His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour set sail from England on a scientific voyage of exploration with Lieutenant James Cook at its helm. What did the voyage accomplish for science and navigation? What did its arrival on the east coast of Australia eventually lead to? And how has this changed the course of Australian history? Learn about this momentous voyage, its famous crew and the lasting impact HMB Endeavour’s arrival had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – the continent’s First Peoples. (Years 3–10 history, science)

The British were quick to dismiss the Indigenous Australians as rightful owners of the land, but we now know they had inhabited, cared for and sustained the land for thousands of years before the arrival of Endeavour.

Take a walking tour around Federation Square in Melbourne. Learn about the five tribal groups of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of Melbourne and its colonisation story.

Hear about the changes that have taken place at the Birrarung (Yarra River) over the years, and find out about the traditional hunting and gathering practices of local Aboriginal people. (Years F–10, geography, history, languages, technologies)

Before the arrival of the British in 1803, Tasmania was inhabited by people from nine Aboriginal nations. For them, Tasmania has been and continues to be known as “lutruwita”. Learn how the palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal people) survived and thrived for around 40,000 years and how the British disrupted an ancient culture through war and disease. (Years 3–6, 9–10, history)

The Noongar people have lived in the south-west corner of Western Australia for at least 45,000 years. There are several language groups that make up the Noongar, including the Whadjuk, who are the traditional owners of the land around Perth.

Learn about traditional life in and around the area we now know as Perth and how life changed for the Aboriginal people of the area after British colonisation. (Years 3–10, history)

Uncle Ron Marks tells the story of Barengi Djul, also known as the Wimmera River. Learn about Banip, the bunyip, who was a danger to children who went swimming when they weren’t supposed to.

Adam Goodes is an Indigenous Australian and a former AFL footballer, known for his community work and anti-racism advocacy. This collection of classroom resources explores the abuse he experienced in 2015 after performing a war cry in celebration of a goal.

With this collection, students have an opportunity to connect with Aboriginal culture and understand its important place in Australia. There’s also an accompanying series of articles to help guide teachers in delivering these resources. (Years 9–10, civics and citizenship, history)

In My Blood It Runs is a documentary that follows the story of a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garrwa boy, Dujuan Hoosan, as grapples with inequities of the Australian education system, all the while finding the space to dream for his future self.

This collection explores the complexities that First Nations communities face negotiating colonisation while maintaining their cultural identities and practices through self-determination, the revitalisation of languages and connection to Country. (Years 9–10, civics and citizenship, English, geography, history)

Aunty Julie McHale explains how culture plays an important role in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Archie Roach AM, music legend and Stolen Generations survivor, is one of Australia’s most powerful songwriters and storytellers. In this collection, Uncle Archie and a collective of Elders speak about their lived experiences and who they are as First Nations people.

They discuss the impacts of being forbidden to speak their languages, practise cultural ways or talk about their people. They also speak about the impacts of their experiences as children: being forcibly removed from their families and assimilated into the white community.

These resources hope to ignite a sense of place, belonging, community and identity for all Australians. (Years 3–10, the arts, civics and citizenship, history)

Country has spirit and is sacred — deserving of respect and love. This has been understood by First Nations people for millennia. All the stories in this series are connected by a unifying idea: the land is alive. The land is a being, a living entity. These visually stunning videos take students on a journey into the deep interconnectedness between human beings and the landscape. (Years F–10, the arts, geography, history, science)

Studying these artworks from the National Gallery of Australia’s collection, students can explore how they depict life of Indigenous Australians and how they reflect the attitude of white settlers towards Indigenous people and their cultures. (Years 5–10, the arts, history)

Find more classroom resources about Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures on ABC Education.