The Charles Sturt University First Nations Strategy recognises that contributions to truth-telling, social justice and educational opportunity are most powerful when they are built-in, not bolted-on. Guided by Yindyamarra Winhanganha, “the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in” Charles Sturt University is committed to embedding First Nations knowledges, perspectives, histories and ways of knowing, being and doing throughout learning and teaching.
At Charles Sturt University, First Nations education is more than the inclusion of Indigenous Australian content. It involves the meaningful integration of First Nations knowledges, perspectives and experiences throughout courses and subjects, contributing to truth-telling, social justice, cultural responsiveness and educational excellence.
The University's approach to First Nations education is supported by policy through academic governance, curriculum frameworks and professional learning initiatives that help ensure First Nations perspectives are meaningfully embedded throughout the student learning journey. Aligning with the First Nations Cultural Safety Graduate Learning Outcome an Indigenous Cultural Competence Pedagogical Framework.
The Indigenous Board of Studies (IBS) is the University's academic governance body responsible for the approval and quality assurance of Indigenous Australian Studies subjects and Indigenous Australian content within courses and subjects.
IBS provides oversight to ensure First Nations education is academically rigorous, culturally appropriate, and aligned with the University’s policy and strategic priorities.
For more information: Indigenous Board of Studies
Indigenous Australian Content in Courses and Subjects Policy
The Indigenous Australian Content in Courses and Subjects Policy outlines the University's requirements for the inclusion, development, quality assurance and governance of Indigenous Australian content across courses and subjects.
The policy supports the integration of First Nations perspectives throughout the course and subjects and authorises the Indigenous Board of Studies to assure the quality, integrity and cultural appropriateness of Indigenous Australian content.
For more information on: Indigenous Australian Content in Courses and Subjects Policy
Charles Sturt’s Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) are a set of common learning outcomes that have been written to assist course teams with alignment between standards, course & subject outcomes, and assessment.
The First Nations Cultural Safety GLO demonstrates a commitment to cultural safety through critical reflection and examination of the cultural, historical, and social justice issues, and power and privilege affecting First Nations lives and communities. This supports students to develop cultural competence, cultural responsiveness and crirical reflexivity through engagement with First Nations knowledge, perspectives and experiences.
Learn more about the First Nations Cultural Safety GLO
The School of Indigenous Australian Studies (SIAS) has responsibility for teaching core Indigenous Australian studies subjects.
SIAS also provides leadership in curriculum design and guidance in Indigenous Australian studies across multiple disciplines in undergraduate and postgraduate course work.
The school also hosts the Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language which a senior Wiradjuri educator and researcher coordinate.
SIAS has also developed a terminology guide. Extract from the guide:
"There is no rulebook when it comes to using appropriate terminology regarding First Nations Peoples of Australia and their experiences. The purpose of this Guide is to emphasise the importance of considering the terms we use, and the histories and assumptions that may be embedded within them. The aim is to encourage you to work towards developing and using language in a way that acknowledges the diversity of First Nations Peoples and the resilience and strengths within their experiences. It is also about recognising, acknowledging and challenging racial and cultural based inequalities that continue to exist in our societies and which can be reinforced through the use of language"
Download the SIAS terminology guide
How Gulaay Can Support You
Gulaay is the First Nations team that supports curriculum and capability within the Division of Learning and Teaching.
Gulaay works alongside Course Directors, Course Teams, Educational Designers and Academic Leaders to support the meaningful integration of First Nations knowledges, perspectives and cultural responsiveness across courses.
For more information on Gulaay: Cultural competency (First Nations) - Division of Learning and Teaching
Support includes:
Key Resources
Contact
For further information or support with First Nations perspectives, curriculum, professional learning, or curriculum review processes, please contact: