An immersive experience strengthens Aboriginal perspectives in early learning 

Eco Warriors, RAP Champions and Educational Leaders from MercyCare Early Learning recently benefitted from an on Country immersion experience at the Cockburn Wetlands Centre in Western Australia. 

Hosted by Milliyaan Aboriginal Services, the experience was a chance for educators to learn ways to integrate Aboriginal culture into early education curriculums, while collaborating and connecting with teams from across the organisation.

“The immersion provided an opportunity for Early Learning’s Eco Warriors and RAP Champions to come together alongside members of MercyCare’s Boodiya Bidi team and Family and Community Services, to learn practical ways to embed Aboriginal perspectives back into their service,” organiser Courtney Barnard, Mission and Strategy Project Lead said.

“It was clear that everyone that attended left the experience with a deeper understanding of the history and culture of first nations people in Western Australia, as well as a toolkit of engaging ideas that the children in the centres will thoroughly enjoy.”

The immersion was a wonderful opportunity for staff to be surrounded by creative and innovative ideas for embedding Aboriginal culture into daily practices at each centre.

The experience started with a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony followed by time spent listening to the hosts speak about the stark reality of Australia’s history of colonisation and its lasting impacts on Aboriginal people.

An educational bushwalk took the group through the wetlands to discover traditional uses for plants, from food to medicine and tool-making.

Learning New Ways to Incorporate Aboriginal Perspectives

Milliyaan Aboriginal Services provides an early childhood cultural consultancy service that aims to provide educators with easy and engaging ways to bring Aboriginal knowledge and culture into child care settings.

Throughout the afternoon, participants were given the opportunity to try the activities for themselves, including:

• Ideas for language implementation and songs to acknowledge country
• Learning colours and numbers in Whadjuk Noongar Language
• Hands on fun with culturally themed Tuff Trays; and
• Exploring and experiencing native scents and their uses

To learn more about MercyCare Early Learning please see here.