Activity One
This activity is talking about personal identity. As a group, talk about personal identity and brainstorm things that impact on their identity. Some things that might be talked about are socioeconomic area, nationality, heritage, parents, siblings, friends, sport, hobbies, media, and religion. Give relevant examples to the children.
Then it is time to explain how Aboriginal peoples identify with themselves. An Aboriginal identifies themselves through the same types of things, but a large part comes from family structure. Refer to the 'Family and Kinship Structures' page under the 'Background Research' tab for more information on this structure. Give a brief introduction on Aboriginal moiety, totems, skin names, language and individual identity. In this activity, you would be focusing on individual identity.
In indigenous culture, everyone is given an individual totem. It is a spiritual belief that every person has a special relationship with a plant, animal species, condition or situation. Some examples of these would be emu, kangaroo, black mountain, or wattle. Click here for more information on totems. In this tradition, an Aboriginal receives their individual totem from their Mother or Father. It is a personal relationship with the totem, it cannot be shared or inherited. The totems were a way to connect with the land.
At times, individual totems were painted into rock. This video shows example of the rock art. Try and get the children to spot the most things possible.
Then it is time to explain how Aboriginal peoples identify with themselves. An Aboriginal identifies themselves through the same types of things, but a large part comes from family structure. Refer to the 'Family and Kinship Structures' page under the 'Background Research' tab for more information on this structure. Give a brief introduction on Aboriginal moiety, totems, skin names, language and individual identity. In this activity, you would be focusing on individual identity.
In indigenous culture, everyone is given an individual totem. It is a spiritual belief that every person has a special relationship with a plant, animal species, condition or situation. Some examples of these would be emu, kangaroo, black mountain, or wattle. Click here for more information on totems. In this tradition, an Aboriginal receives their individual totem from their Mother or Father. It is a personal relationship with the totem, it cannot be shared or inherited. The totems were a way to connect with the land.
At times, individual totems were painted into rock. This video shows example of the rock art. Try and get the children to spot the most things possible.
For an extra activity, the children could visit this website and try and see if there are any Aboriginal rock carvings nearby.
The students are to create their own individual totem and write dot points as to why they believe that this would be their totem. Refer back to the list of things that impacts personal identity for ideas. The totem can be an animal, plant, or situation that they believe reflects their personal identity.
In order to be interculturally competent in this activity, it is important to note that in Aboriginal culture, an individual totem is given to them. In Indigenous culture, a person does not choose their totem, it is something given to them.
The students are to create their own individual totem and write dot points as to why they believe that this would be their totem. Refer back to the list of things that impacts personal identity for ideas. The totem can be an animal, plant, or situation that they believe reflects their personal identity.
In order to be interculturally competent in this activity, it is important to note that in Aboriginal culture, an individual totem is given to them. In Indigenous culture, a person does not choose their totem, it is something given to them.