Background Information

Content information:

The activities in this unit will help you to explore key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives with your children will benefit both First Nations and non-Indigenous children.

For any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in your centre, exploring their culture plays a key role in their development, identity and self-esteem, and contributes to the overall well-being of the child.

For non-Indigenous children, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in their early education experiences is fundamental in creating inclusive and accepting attitudes, and positive race relations. These perspectives are also about celebrating different cultures and the uniqueness of individuals. It is enriching for children to experience the different perspectives and diverse human experiences other cultures can bring to the melting pot.

For more information about why you should aim to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives at your centre - including terms of reference and cultural protocols - visit Caring for Country – Learning for Educators.
To access more activities to support you in exploring and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories in your centre and activities, click here.

It is strongly recommended that you complete these Tuning In Introductory Lessons before sharing any of the Themed Activities with children. The Tuning In Introductory Lessons will guide you to find out more about the Traditional Owners of your area. Having this information will support you in authentically embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in your room and centre as well as guiding you to build genuine relationships with the Traditional Owners of your area.

Part A: Discussion

Step 1.

Begin this activity by sharing the following flags with your children (also available h e re):

Invite children to share what they already know about these flags using the following questions:

I wonder what these flags are?
I wonder where they are from?
I wonder if you have seen them before?
I wonder why we have them? I wonder why they are important?

Explain to children that both of these flags belong to the First Nations peoples of Australia.

Step 2.

Using a map (like this) explain that there are two First Nations groups in Australia and show children these different locations on the map:

An Aboriginal person is someone who is of Aboriginal descent, who identifies as an Aboriginal person. The traditional lands of Aboriginal peoples are mainland Australia and most of the islands. The flag with the black, yellow and red is the Aboriginal flag. The black symbolises Aboriginal people, the yellow represents the sun, and the red represents the earth and the connection people have to the land.

A Torres Strait Islander is someone who is of Torres Strait Islander descent, who identifies as a Torres Strait Islander. The Torres Strait Islands (also commonly referred to as Zenadth Kes) comprise at least 274 small islands that lie between the northern tip of Cape York in Queensland and the south-west coast of Papua New Guinea. Today, many Torres Strait Islanders live on the Australian mainland. The green, blue, white and black flag belongs to Torres Strait Islander peoples. "The green panels at the top and bottom of the flag represent the land and the central blue panel represents the sea. The black lines dividing the panels represent the Torres Strait Islander people. The centre of the flag shows a white dhari (dancer’s headdress) which represents Torres Strait Islander culture. Underneath the dhari is a white five-pointed star. The star is an important symbol for navigating the sea. The points of the star represent the five island groups in the Torres Strait and the white symbolises peace" (source).

Step 3.

Now explain to children that both of these flags are the flags of the Traditional Custodians of Australia. They are both different to the red, white and blue flag that features the Union Jack. However, all of these flags are the flags of Australia, and displaying them all together is another way you can show respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in your community and country.

Part B: Activity

Step 1.

You could now work with children to create some flags for your centre and/or room. You could do this by:

using the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag templates to colour in, paint or make a montage with coloured paper
painting pebbles, sticks, bark and leaves in different colours to create your flags; then photograph and display
create your flags with different coloured handprints - you could base your templates on the flag images used in this resource.

Part C: Possible Lines of Development

Children may have their own ideas about how to extend this activity, or you could consider the following:

Children could create their own flag for themselves, their family or for their friends. What colours, pictures or symbols would they include? What does this flag say about them, their family or their friends?
Take a look at some other flags from around the world - which ones do you like the most and why? Can you find the countries that these flags belong to on a map?
Explore other Caring for Country Introductory Lessons.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning, listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenge and persisting when difficulty arises
Wellbeing	Being involved

Caring for Country: The Flags of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

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Summary

Activity guides and printables

Activity Details

Curriculum Mapping

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