MOOMBAKI CULTURAL LEARNINGS: RECONNECTING ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE

BY ASAD KHAN

A new Aboriginal-led research project, Moombaki Cultural Learnings, is set to enhance the wellbeing and academic outcomes for Aboriginal children in Western Australia.

Funded by Curtin University, the initiative aims to integrate grassroots Aboriginal knowledge into primary school education.

Led by Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, a Wadjuk Noongar woman from Perth, the project uses virtual reality and classroom lessons to teach Noongar languages, culture, and history.

By incorporating these elements into the curriculum, the project seeks to offer a more inclusive and culturally relevant education for Aboriginal students.

According to Ms Kickett-Tucker, local cultural educators from the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, local echo, have been brought in to teach the lessons.

She emphasised the importance of community involvement in teaching culture, stating, "The teachers, we actually brought in cultural educators from the local community... because they are the best place to teach culture."

While she acknowledged the presence of supportive and eager teachers, she highlighted the challenges of working with others who may not be as open.

"Unfortunately, we get all sorts of teachers... some teachers that don't support and don't want to know and do have racist tendencies and discrimination and so it's best if the kids learn from us," she said.

Through this initiative, Moombaki Cultural Learnings offers an innovative approach to reconnect Aboriginal children with their heritage, empowering them with knowledge about their culture and history while fostering better educational outcomes.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with Cheryl Kickett-Tucker: