Australian Colonies and Indigenous People

Introduction

Stage 3 Year 5 - Eleebana Public School 2017 - Australian Colonies and Indigenous People

This unit explores British colonisation through the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You will investigate the impact that British settlement had on the Aboriginal culture and the environment.

Inquiry questions:

•   What do we know about the lives of people in Australia’s colonial past and how do we know?

•   How did an Australian colony develop over time and why?

•   How did colonial settlement change the environment?

•   What were the significant events and who were the significant people that shaped Australian colonies?

Read and work through each of the three tasks included in this unit. The tasks are listed in the 'task' tab and the suggested websites for you to visit are listed in the 'process' tab. The appropriate websites links are provided for you to research your topics and build the knowledge required to complete each task. Time management is important so try to stick to the time guide for each task. If you spend too much time on one task you may not get achieve a high quality of work in all tasks.

Task

WEEKS 1-4

1. Conduct research using the web quest and a range of non-fiction books about the relationship of Aboriginal people and the land. Develop an understanding of the differences between how the British and the Aboriginal people lived and the land. Compare and contrast the differences and similarities between the European and Aboriginal culture. Consider their beliefs, religion, way of life, the way they treated the land, family life and language.

WEEKS 5-7

2. Explore the impact that British settlement had on Aboriginal people. Identify how this affected the Aboriginal culture, language and way of life. Write two journal entries, one from the perspective of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and one from the perspective of a settler/convict, including possible events that may have occurred during the time of settlement and early colony building.

WEEKS 8-10

3. Create a timeline of British settlement in Australia focusing on the impact colonisation had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using www.timetoast.com to publish the timeline. Include all important dates from the starting with the arrival of Australia's Indigenous people in Australia and finishing with the year 1900.