1. Torres Strait Islander History I would like to acknowledge that I am here today on the land of the Koobenpul people. The Koobenpul people are the Traditional Custodians of this land and form part of the wider Aboriginal nation known as the Yuggera Nation. I would also like to acknowledge the present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside within this area. (Australian Geographic, 2011) By Cindie Cropper

2. Overview of the history of the Torres Strait people First European settlement: 1863 The Islanders were agriculturalists, fishermen, hunters and “fearless defenders of their territories (Shnukal, 2001)” Arrival of Christian missionaries and teachers: 1871 First Torres Strait school on Darnley Island 1873 Christianity brought big changes to the culture of Torres Strait ( Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints, 2013)

3. Queensland's protection act Multicultural history Travel to the mainland Fight for land rights (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints, 2013)

4. First school taught by Pacific Islanders Education prior to world war 2 Education post 1985 Problems due to lack of linguistic and cultural awareness (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints, 2013)

5. “Learning from the past, learning in the present, and learning for the future” (Au Zageth Ginar Yumi Education, 2012) Music and drama: an integral part of Island culture Today’s education for children in Torres Strait (ABC, 2013) “Replicate the rhythms and sound patterns in stories, rhymes, songs and poems from a range of cultures” (ACELT1579) (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2013)

6. Learning through real life experiences Technology based learning ‘Learning through the Arts’ successful on Darnley Island State School as a whole school approach (Darnley Island State School, 2012) Positive school to community relationships vitally important “Linking solid traditions to future freedom” (Dauan Island State School, (2012) (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints, 2013) “Use ICT effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems and work collaboratively in all learning areas at school, and in their lives beyond school” (ACARA, 2013).

7. http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/196441/Teacher_Notes_ -_Lower_Primary.pdf http://www.abc.net.au/messageclub/ http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/straithome/game Best practice:  Relevant learning  Music, dance and art  Linking traditions  Community relationships  Linguistic and cultural factors reflected in practice Links: Teaching and learning experiences: Educational websites: Best practice for Indigenous education in Torres Strait “EAL/D students may require adjustments in relation to curriculum, instruction, and/or environment to ensure equity of access to the Australian Curriculum” (ACARA, 2013). “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life are uniquely expressed through ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing” (ACARA, 2013).

8. References ABC. (2013). Keeping Torres Strait Island traditions alive [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacific/radio/onairhighlights/keeping-torres-strait-island- traditions-alive/1116358http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacific/radio/onairhighlights/keeping-torres-strait-island- traditions-alive/1116358 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints. (2013). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Prints [Images]. Retrieved from http://www.aboriginalartprints.com.au/index.phphttp://www.aboriginalartprints.com.au/index.php Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2013). Australian Curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/English/Curriculum/F-10http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/English/Curriculum/F-10 Au Zageth Ginar Yumi Education. (2012). Creating Positive Futures for our Students, Families and Community. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/thursdayisss.html http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/thursdayisss.html Chamarette, C. (2000). Terra Nullius Then and Now: Mabo, Native Title and Reconciliation in 2000. Australian Psychologist, 35(2), 167 -172. Retrieved from http://edocs.library.curtin.edu.au/eres_display.cgi?url=DC60167959.pdf http://edocs.library.curtin.edu.au/eres_display.cgi?url=DC60167959.pdf Dauan Island State School. (2012). A Torres Strait IDEAS school: Exploring our community vision ‘linking solid traditions to future freedoms. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/dauanisss.html http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/dauanisss.html Darnley Island State School. (2012). A Torres Strait IDEAS school: Learning through the arts makes ‘catching a future’ easier. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/darnleyisss.html http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/darnleyisss.html Haslem, D. (Producer), & Graham, T. (Director & Co-producer). (1997). Mabo, Life of an Island Man [Video]. Retrieved from http://echo.ilecture.curtin.edu.au:8080/ess/echo/presentation/d6959b25-0bc4-4d36-b4af-915ea3b329f5 http://echo.ilecture.curtin.edu.au:8080/ess/echo/presentation/d6959b25-0bc4-4d36-b4af-915ea3b329f5 Lewis, R., & Baker, J. (2012). Beachmere State School. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/beachmeress.htmlhttp://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ideas/journeys/beachmeress.html Lui, L., (1996) Cultural Identity and Development in the Torres Strait Islands. In B. Sarawasti (Ed.), Interface of Cultural Development. Retrieved from http://www.ignca.nic.in/ls_03009.htm http://www.ignca.nic.in/ls_03009.htm ABC. (2004). Message club. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/messageclub/http://www.abc.net.au/messageclub/ Price-Robertson, R., & McDonald, M. (2013). Working with Indigenous children, families and communities: Lessons from practice. Retrieved from http://www.aifs.gov.au/cafca/pubs/sheets/ps/ps6.html http://www.aifs.gov.au/cafca/pubs/sheets/ps/ps6.html Queensland Government. (2012). Mythical creatures from the Torres Strait. Retrieved from http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/straithome/gamehttp://www.slq.qld.gov.au/straithome/game Queensland Government. (2012). Strait home: lower primary pre-visit activities. Retrieved from http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/196441/Teacher_Notes_- _Lower_Primary.pdfhttp://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/196441/Teacher_Notes_- _Lower_Primary.pdf Shnukal, A. (2001). Torres Strait Islanders. In M. Brandle, Maximilian (Ed.), Multicultural Queensland 2001:100 years, 100 Communities, A century of contributions. Retrieved from http://edocs.library.curtin.edu.au/eres_display.cgi?url=dc60246680.pdf http://edocs.library.curtin.edu.au/eres_display.cgi?url=dc60246680.pdf