Happy Birthday David Unaipon

Today, the 28th of September is the 140th birthday of David Unaipon. He was the first published Aboriginal author. He was a scientist and mathematician, an inventor and a religious educator.

We can only image what his life, as an Aboriginal man must have been like 140 years ago. It is not hard to imagine the hardships and disappointment he would have experienced as a result of society's embedded racism against Aboriginal people. And we can only imagine what he might have achieved had he been given the same opportunities as other men of his age.

Sadly, most Australian's, young and old, will say "who?" when we mention his name. Let's spread the word of him and work and begin to make him the household name he should be.

More information about David Unaipon:

• Diju Know about David Unaipon from ABC's Message Club. Written by Anita Heiss.
• Local and history information about David Unaipon from Adelaide
• Fact Sheet from the Racism No Way resource. 

Image credit: A deadly birthday cake for David Unaipon by Annie Ah Kee using Minecraft.

Find authentic connections in learning about others

Janson Hews from the Powerhouse Museum contacted me today about a project for Indigenous Literacy Day this year, where students from Glebe Public School visited the Yinalung Yenu: Women's Journey Exhibition.

Students looked at the important role that women play in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life. Further they:

We invited them to write and illustrate a personal narrative about a woman who has been important in their own lives, highlighting her journey and what she has in common with the women in the exhibition.

This last part is so important. It is more important that the children use the stories of others to find the connections within their own lives. This makes it fundamentally more important a learning experience - the realisation of the important role of women in all our lives, than simply studying the OTHER.
Congratulations to the Powerhouse Education Program team. Well done.
Looking for some more "signficant people" then check out the teacher's notes!
Read more on their blog

(Originally posted on criticalclassroom on TypePad on 04/09/201)