The 2011 Sylvia Walton Event

Indigenous Education: teaching teachers to understand aboriginal ways of knowing and being

Training teachers to understand Indigenous ways of knowing and being is a challenge for schools, universities and other educational institutions.  While a number of programs are being offered, it is appropriate to come together and reflect on some of these programs and how they may articulate with the broader activities in our educational institutions.

This event will share some developments in schools and universities in this area in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere.

Speakers: Dr Zane Ma Rhea, Monash University; Yorta Yorta Elder Prof Henry Atkinson, Monash University; 'The Storyteller' Glenn Shea:

Professor Henry Atkinson, Faculty of Education, Monash University, leads the Indigenous Education teaching and research program. Henry originates from Echuca, Victoria where he plays an active role in the Echuca community as well as his Indigenous community. He is a father of three daughters and grandfather of eight, all of whom he has entrenched with the values and culture of the Yorta Yorta. He belongs to the Wolithiga clan which is part of the Yorta Yorta Nation. Henry is committed to education: to the development of the next generation of Indigenous leadership arising from excellent mainstream education and to the education of the wider community about Indigenous history, issues, and culture. 

Dr Zane Ma Rhea, Faculty of Education, Monash University, researches and teaches in the areas of Organisational Development and Indigenous Education. Zane has worked with Indigenous people over the last 30 years in various capacities. She is recognised nationally and internationally for expertise in strategic planning to improve the quality of education services to Indigenous people, focussing on English literacy, numeracy, and the preservation and maintenance of Indigenous knowledge through the development of meaningful partnerships with Indigenous families and their communities.

Glenn Shea is a Wathaurong/Ngarrindjeri  man and an actor and playwright. He was the first Indigenous actor to graduate from NIDA. His work has recently been recognised through awards from the RE Ross Trust for script development, and involvement in the 2011 Playwriting Australia's National Script Workshop.

Glen is working increasingly with schools to develop cross- cultural engagement through the use of 'The Storyteller' game which provides knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people, society and cultural in a fresh, fun and stimulating way.  

Contacts:
Glenn: http://www.indigenousstoryteller.com/homepage.html
Zane: Zane.Marhea@monash.edu
Henry Atkinson: Henry.atkinson@monah.edu