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Happy Book Week! 17-23 October 2020

This year the celebrations were postponed from August until now. Theme: Curious creatures, wild minds.

The library has some curious trivia questions to be answered, as well as some displays of good reads. This year’s award winners from the Children’s Book Council (picture books, chapter books and young adult) include Bruce Pascoe for Young dark emu and Indigenous illustrator Jasmine Seymour for Baby business.

https://cbca.org.au/winners-2020

https://www.magabala.com/blogs/news/cbca-win-2020

 

What are the benefits of reading?

Benefits include increased empathy, stress reduction, prevention of cognitive decline….

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/why-getting-lost-book-so-good-you-according-science-ncna893256

 

Better Reading

Reading suggestions and Weekly Top 10.

Includes All our shimmering skies – Trent Dalton; The survivors – Jane Harper; Honeybee – Craig Silvey; Think like a monk – Jay Shetty.

http://www.betterreading.com.au/

2020 Better Reading Top 100

Includes The tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris; Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine – Gail Honeyman; Scrublands – Chris Hammer; Where the crawdads sing – Delia Owens.

https://www.betterreading.com.au/news/exciting-announcement-the-better-reading-top-100/

More good reading suggestions: http://www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/

 

Goodreads Best Books of 2019

Annual list voted for by readers. Categories include fiction, mystery and thriller, fantasy, science fiction, horror, memoir, non fiction, graphic novels, young adult. Winners include: The testaments – Margaret Atwood; The silent patient – Alex Michaelides; Ninth house – Leigh Bardugo; Recursion – Blake Crouch. 2020 list due in December.

https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2019

 

Magabala Books

Excellent resources from this Broome-based company, specialising in books by Indigenous authors. 15 new titles are published annually – picture books, memoir, fiction (junior, YA and adult), non-fiction, graphic novels, social history and poetry. Includes:

Living on stolen land – Ambelin Kwaymullina. ‘A prose-style manifesto about our settler-colonial present; a call and a guide to action…challenges Australia to come to terms with its own past and its place within and on ‘Indigenous Countries’.’

Blakwork – Alison Whittaker. ‘A powerful collection of memoir, reportage, fiction, satire, critique’ that interrogates our colonial past and present.

https://www.magabala.com/

 

Took the children away – Archie Roach

Archie Roach reads the picture book (2010) of his powerful 1990 song, with illustrations by Ruby Hunter.

https://ab.co/3jhJ3O0

 

Books made into films 2020

Some of these probably didn’t get released this year. Includes: David Copperfield (Dickens); Chaos walking (Ness); The witches (Dahl); The invisible man (Wells); Rebecca (Du Maurier); The secret garden (Burnett); Deep water (Highsmith); Dune (Herbert).

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/books-becoming-movies-in-2020-46949591?stream_view=1#photo-47180684

 

2020 Ned Kelly Awards

For Australian crime writing. Winner 2020: The wife and the widow – Christian White. Best International Crime Fiction: The chain – Adrian McKinty.

https://www.austcrimewriters.com/news/2020/10/14/the-2020-ned-kelly-awards-winners

 

Dymocks

2020 Top 101: Includes Throne of glass series – S. Maas; Magician – R. Feist; Good omens – T. Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. https://www.dymocks.com.au/getmedia/0adc3f76-c6a3-4f37-a922-1f78d4b6d6a0/Dymocks_Top101_2020.aspx

Top 10 in many categories. https://www.dymocks.com.au/promotions/top-10

https://www.dymocks.com.au/

 

2020 Indie Book Awards

Includes: Tell me why – Archie Roach; There was still love – Favel Parrett.

https://www.indiebookawards.com.au/

 

Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) 2020

Includes Sand talk: how indigenous thinking can save the world – Tyson Yunkaporta.

https://abiawards.com.au/year-won/2020/

 

Books and Publishing: Inside the Australian Book Industry

News, reviews, book awards.

https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/

 

The case for reading fiction

Benefits include increased social acuity, the ability to comprehend other people’s motivations and keeping an open mind.

https://hbr.org/2020/03/the-case-for-reading-fiction

 

Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming

Fiction – the gateway drug to reading.

https://www.betterreading.com.au/kids-ya/neil-gaiman-why-our-future-depends-on-libraries-reading-and-daydreaming/

 

Book quotes

https://www.shortlist.com/news/the-40-most-powerful-literary-quotes

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/famous-book-quotes

https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/the-best-100-closing-lines-from-books/123681

https://bookroo.com/blog/the-100-best-quotes-about-reading

Quiz: https://brokebybooks.com/an-epic-list-of-50-literature-trivia-quiz-questions/

 

Book covers

Iconic covers…The great Gatsby, Catch-22, A clockwork orange….

https://www.abebooks.com/books/rarebooks/book-design-collectible-famous/iconic-book-covers.shtml

https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/book-cover-quiz/

 

How you feel when you finish a great book

This is absolutely a real thing!

https://bookriot.com/psychology-of-a-book-hangover/

 

Categories
books films Indigenous resources

Resources for all ages for National Reconciliation Week (NAIDOC Week in July has been postponed)

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National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June

This year’s theme is In this together.

It is 20 years since Reconciliation Australia began was established. “Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution. 2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation and show their support for a more reconciled Australia….On this journey, Australians are all In This Together; every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.”

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/

20 ways to be in this together: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/20-ways-to-be-in-this-together-in-2020/?fbclid=IwAR2H9VOtZSOQqynIEyZwf771mTRAOx-DLIbx-rw6RVwWIpQuN0pieQ3tT4k

Indigitube: the Reconciliation channel

Excellent resources. Includes NITV resources, great music, podcasts, language, radio and news.

https://www.indigitube.com.au/

Reconciliation timeline 1770-2018: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/reconciliation-timeline-3.pdf

Excellent book list (2019): https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/recommended-reading-1.pdf

More books: https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/2020/05/22/nrw-2020-look-for-a-book/

Excellent film and TV list (2019): https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/recommended-viewing.pdf

 

 

 

NAIDOC Week 7 – postponed – probably on later in the year

https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/naidoc-week-2020-postponed

 

Uluru Statement the ‘campaign of our lifetimes’ (May 2020)

The Peoples’ movement has moved the Government from complete dismissal to commencing a process of ‘co-design’ for a Voice before considering legislative, executive and constitutional options to establish a Voice.

https://nit.com.au/uluru-statement-the-campaign-of-our-lifetimes/

 

Indigenous Australians’ voice will be heard loud and proud (March 2020)

With close to 800 000 Indigenous voices in Australia, the focus of the national group is to develop options and models for a national voice, whilst working in partnership with local groups.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/indigenous-australians-voice-will-be-heard-loud-and-proud/news-story/5b8d075cfabe361d1d0b55a805d83db5

 

Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017):

https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Uluru_Statement_From_The_Heart_0.PDF

 

Indigenous Knowledge

This project from the University of Melbourne helps teachers integrate Indigenous perspectives in their teaching. Resources are linked to the Australian Curriculum and are for Years 3 to 10 but can be adapted. Resources include Interdependence in the environment;  Fire and land management; Geometry of water sources and landforms; Indigenous astronomy.

https://indigenousknowledge.research.unimelb.edu.au/

 

Indigenous Australian languages: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/indigenous-australian-languages

AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia (languages and groups): https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/aiatsis-map-indigenous-australia

Gambay – map of Australia’s first languages (over 780): https://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/features/gambay-languages-map/

Word up – shares the diverse languages of Aboriginal Australia, one word at a time: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/wordup/

 

Right wrongs

An excellent resource. Short videos and informative text explore developments since the 1967 referendum which changed how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the constitution. Sections include: Controlled but not counted; Fighting for change; An extraordinary vote; The legacy; Where to now?

http://www.abc.net.au/rightwrongs/

 

Aboriginal agriculture, technology and ingenuity

In short videos, renowned author Bruce Pascoe reflects on Aboriginal people’s relationship with plants, animals and technologies and celebrates the ingenuity of the First Australians. Journals of early explorers and other research shows evidence of vast agricultural fields, aquaculture systems, sophisticated use of fire and successful industries that existed in Australia prior to colonisation.

https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/digibook/3122184/bruce-pascoe-aboriginal-agriculture-technology-and-ingenuity

 

A real history of Aboriginal Australians, the first agriculturalists – Bruce Pascoe (12 mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqgrSSz7Htw

 

ABC Education

Many resources – search under Topics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Includes History of Indigenous rights in Australia; Dust echoes (animations of Dreaming stories); History of the Tent Embassy; Racism; Cultural identity.

http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/topic/494038/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures

 

ABC Indigenous

https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/1150

Access the latest Indigenous stories and features from ABC Radio, news & current affairs, TV and iview.

iView Indigenous collection

http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/default.htm

Dramas, comedies, documentaries and more. Includes:

HerStory: a discussion by Indigenous female actors, writers and producers about the contribution of women to their communities and identity. Features Rachel Perkins, Nakkiah Lui, Sally Riley. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/herstory/video/IP1721H001S00

Back Roads Dreaming: stories of this place long before it was called Australia. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/back-roads-dreaming-and-other-stories

This place: Indigenous communities share the stories behind place names of their country. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/this-place

Awaye: Diverse and vibrant Aboriginal arts and culture from across Australia and the best from indigenous radio broadcasters around the world. Subscribe on Apple or Google Podcasts, or ABC Listen app. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/

 

Creative Spirits

“Learn about contemporary Aboriginal culture without agenda”. Many resources in many areas including history, arts, people, economy, law and justice, politics and media, spirituality. “Creative Spirits is an amazing collection of history and an inspiring representation of Aboriginal culture”—Michele Hetherington, Aboriginal woman from NSW. www.creativespirits.info/

 

The beach

3 hour documentary series on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday, May 29 at 7.30pm. Acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton returns to his ancestors’ homeland to transform his life, developing his spirituality, instincts and skills in order to survive and thrive.

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2020/04/28/prepare-be-totally-captivated-warwick-thorntons-new-documentary-beach

 

NITV – National Indigenous Television 

Informs, educates and entertains its indigenous and non-indigenous audiences. Great documentaries, news, personal accounts and perspectives.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/

NITV programs include:

NITV programs on demand: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/channels/nitv

Movies on NITV: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movies/nitv-movies

The point: Current affairs and news for all Australians, with indigenous perspectives. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/the-point

Our stories (15 mins each): Shares the history, culture and language of Indigenous Australia through stories of elders, youth and communities. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/our-stories

Thalu: With their country under threat from a huge dust cloud and the mysterious Takers that lurk within, a group of Indigenous kids make their way to the Thalu, a place of great power, to stop the cloud before it destroys everything. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/thalu

Family rules: Nine sisters navigate the modern world while trying to stay true to their mother’s values. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/family-rules

First Nations bedtime stories: Stories told by elders. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/first-nations-bedtime-stories

The Dreaming: Animated stories explained by elders. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/the-dreaming

Going places with Ernie Dingo: Ernie visits iconic places and connects with traditional owners and others who live there. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/going-places-with-ernie-dingo

 

SBS On Demand

A changing selection of films, documentaries and newsclips. Search for “indigenous” and “Aboriginal” programs.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/

 

Books

Living on stolen land (2020)Ambelin Kwaymullina. Challenges Australia to come to terms with its own past and its place within and on ‘Indigenous Countries’.

Sand talk: how Indigenous thinking can save the world (2019) – Tyson Yunkaporta. Challenges the reader to think differently. Indigenous thinking can help us look at our world through a different perspective and help us make sense of our world in a different way.

Welcome to country: an introduction to our First People for young Australians (2019) – Marcia Langton. Topics include history, knowledge, cultural awareness, art, language, Stolen Generations.

Welcome to country: a travel guide to Indigenous Australia (2018) – Marcia Langton. Celebrations, places to visit, prehistory, culture, art.

Australia’s first naturalists: Indigenous peoples’ contribution to early zoology (2019) – P. Olsen & L. Russell. Many zoological discoveries made by European naturalists would not have been possible without Aboriginal knowledge of fauna and the environment. Aboriginal people assisted nearly every exploration of the interior.

Blakwork (2018) – Alison Whittaker. Poetry that examines loss and ‘a fearless examination of the present.’

Welcome to country: a traditional Aboriginal ceremony  (2018) Aunty Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy (ill.). Beautifully illustrated – a Welcome to the lands of the Wurundjeri people.

Our home, our heartbeat (2020) – Adam Briggs & Kate Moon (ill.) & Rachael Sarra (ill.). Adapted from Indigenous rapper Briggs’ celebrated song ‘The Children Came Back. A celebration of past and present Indigenous legends, as well as emerging generations.

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (2018) – Anita Heiss (ed.). Anthology of diverse voices, experiences and stories. https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/growing-aboriginal-australia

Magabala Books – Australia’s leading Indigenous publishing house: https://www.magabala.com/

4 Magabala Books shortlisted for CBCA Book Week awards: https://www.magabala.com/blogs/news/four-magabala-titles-shortlisted-for-the-cbca-book-of-the-year

Aboriginal Studies Press catalogue: https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/asp/ASP%202020%20Trade%20Catalogue.pdf

 

Categories
books films human rights Indigenous resources language sociology TV

National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week resources

National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June

This year’s theme is Grounded in truth. Walk together with courage.

‘At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long called for a comprehensive process of truth-telling about Australia’s colonial history. Our nation’s past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in future unless we heal historical wounds. Today, 80 per cent of Australians (and 90% of indigenous Australians) believe it is important to undertake formal truth telling processes, according to the 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer. Australians are ready to come to terms with our history as a crucial step towards a unified future, in which we understand, value and respect each other.’ (Reconciliation.org.au)

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/

Unpacking the 2019 NRW poster: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/tot-rationale.pdf

NRW 2019 guide (includes race relations and truth telling; respectful conversations): https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ra-nrw-2019-guide_v8.pdf

Reconciliation timeline 1770-2018: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/reconciliation-timeline-3.pdf

Resources and news: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/resources/

Excellent book list: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/recommended-reading-1.pdf

Excellent film and TV list: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/recommended-viewing.pdf

 

NAIDOC Week 7 July – 14 July

This year’s theme is Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.

The theme highlights 3 key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.This theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy. Our sovereignty has never been ceded – not in 1788, not in 1967, not with the Native Title Act, not with the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It coexists with the sovereignty of the Crown and should never be extinguished. Australia is one of the few liberal democracies around the world which still does not have a treaty or treaties or some other kind of formal acknowledgement or arrangement with its Indigenous minorities…The true story of colonisation must be told, must be heard, must be acknowledged…Then we can move forward together.’

https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/2019-theme

https://www.naidoc.org.au/

Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017):

https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Uluru_Statement_From_The_Heart_0.PDF

NAIDOC Week poster designer – Charmaine Mumbulla:

https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/charmaine-mumbulla-winner-naidoc-2019-poster-competition

 

 

Reconciliation Australia: What we are asking of the next Federal Parliament (May 2019)

3 key actions are required: 1. Address the unresolved issues of national reconciliation (eg. support issues raised in the Uluru Statement from the Heart; meet Closing the Gap targets) 2. Support truth telling initiatives at a local, regional and national level (eg. establish a healing centre and reform the school curriculum to better encompass indigenous culture and history) 3. Support work across the breadth of reconciliation issues.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-federal-election-key-asks.pdf

 

Final report from the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Released in November 2018, the report recommends a bipartisan approach, including support for the establishment of a Voice to be co-designed between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. However, a clear timeframe is needed to ensure the Voice is realised in the next parliamentary term, maintaining momentum towards a referendum on constitutional recognition. The report did not, however, make a recommendation in relation to a treaty.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/report-a-good-step-now-parliament-must-deliver-reform/

 

Indigenous Knowledge

This project from the University of Melbourne helps teachers integrate Indigenous perspectives in their teaching. Resources are grouped around the 3 themes of Astronomy, Fire and Water. They are linked to the Australian Curriculum and are for Years 3 to 10 but can be adapted. Resources include Fire in song; Geometry of water sources and landforms; Indigenous astronomy, geography and star maps.

https://indigenousknowledge.research.unimelb.edu.au/

 

UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages

In 2016 the UN reported that 40% of the estimated 6 700 languages in the world were in danger of disappearing, with the majority of these being indigenous languages – putting at risk the cultures and knowledge systems of indigenous peoples. In Australia today, only 13 traditional Indigenous languages are still acquired by children (with over 250 spoken in 1788), with about 100 spoken to various degrees by older generations.

https://aiatsis.gov.au/IYIL2019

https://en.iyil2019.org/

Indigenous Australian languages: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/indigenous-australian-languages

AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia (languages and groups): https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/aiatsis-map-indigenous-australia

Gambay – map of Australia’s first languages (over 780): https://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/features/gambay-languages-map/

Word up – shares the diverse languages of Aboriginal Australia, one word at a time: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/wordup/

 

 

Right wrongs

An excellent resource. Short videos and informative text explore developments since the 1967 referendum which changed how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the constitution. Sections include: Controlled but not counted; Fighting for change; An extraordinary vote; The legacy; Where to now?

http://www.abc.net.au/rightwrongs/

 

ABC Education

Many resources – search under Topics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Includes History of Indigenous rights in Australia (video 14 min.); Dust echoes (animations of Dreaming stories); History of the Tent Embassy.

http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/topic/494038/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures

 

 

Aboriginal agriculture, technology and ingenuity
Excellent new ABC Education resource. In short videos, renowned author Bruce Pascoe reflects on Aboriginal people’s relationship with plants, animals and technologies and celebrates the ingenuity of the First Australians. Journals of early explorers and other research shows evidence of vast agricultural fields, aquaculture systems, sophisticated use of fire and successful industries that existed in Australia prior to colonisation.

https://ab.co/2VLGOH2

 

ABC Indigenous

Access the latest Indigenous stories and features from ABC Radio, news & current affairs, TV and iview.

http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/default.htm

 

Awaye

Diverse and vibrant Aboriginal arts and culture from across Australia and the best from indigenous radio broadcasters around the world. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or ABC Listen app.

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/

 

Creative Spirits

“Learn about contemporary Aboriginal culture without agenda”. Many resources in many areas including history, arts, people, economy, law and justice, politics and media, spirituality. “Creative Spirits is an amazing collection of history and an inspiring representation of Aboriginal culture”—Michele Hetherington, Aboriginal woman from NSW. www.creativespirits.info/

 

Reconciliation Film Club

Developed by Reconciliation Australia, NITV and SBS. This online platform supports organisations to host screenings of compelling documentaries from our leading indigenous filmmakers. Also includes links to other resources dealing with indigenous themes and issues.

https://www.sbs.com.au/learn/reconciliationfilmclub

 

Top end wedding

Romantic comedy starring and co-written by Miranda Tapsell. Directed by Wayne Blair (The Sapphires). A celebration of love, family and belonging set in the far north of Australia and Tiwi Islands. Great film!

https://theconversation.com/top-end-wedding-a-new-australian-romantic-comedy-with-a-sincere-sense-of-place-114914

 

NITV – National Indigenous Television

Informs, educates and entertains its indigenous and non-indigenous audiences. Great documentaries, news, personal accounts and perspectives.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/

Explore topics and link to videos: Social issues, Arts and entertainment, Social Justice… http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/topics

NITV programs include:

NITV programs on demand: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/channels/nitv

Movies on NITV: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movies/nitv-movies

The point: Current affairs and news for all Australians, with indigenous perspectives.  https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/the-point

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/the-point

Family rules: Nine sisters navigate the modern world while trying to stay true to their mother’s values. https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/family-rules

Grace beside me: The adventures of indigenous 13 year old Fuzzy Mac who keeps seeing ghosts. Based on the novel by Sue McPherson. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/grace-beside-me

The Dreaming: Animated stories explained by elders. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/677413443508/the-dreaming-series-1-ep-24

Little J and Big Cuz: Provides a young indigenous audience with ‘relatable’ characters and offers an insight into traditional Aboriginal culture, country and language. Includes online educational games.

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/jarjums

 

SBS On Demand

A changing selection of films, documentaries and newsclips. Search for “indigenous” and “Aboriginal” programs.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/

 

Books

Catching Teller Crow (2018) – Amberlin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina (children of Sally Morgan). A suspenseful ghost story and psychological thriller, written in prose and verse. Beth Teller is a ghost who can still communicate with her detective father. Together they solve a mystery and discover a shocking story. Winner of the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, Young Adult. Winner of the 2018 Best Young Adult Novel, Aurealis Awards. ‘Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel interweaves themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family.’ Great book!

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/young-adult-fiction/Catching-Teller-Crow-Ambelin-Kwaymullina-and-Ezekiel-Kwaymullina-9781760631628

Young dark emu: a truer history (2019) – Bruce Pascoe. The highly anticipated junior version of Dark emu, showing Australia as it was before Europeans arrived.

https://www.booktopia.com.au/young-dark-emu-bruce-pascoe/prod9781925360844.html

Dark emu (2014) – Bruce Pascoe. A new perspective on indigenous history, arguing against ‘hunter gatherer’ history and providing evidence of sedentary living and crops.

Too deadly (2017) – Us Mob Writing. Diverse collection of First Nations writings from a Canberra writers group.

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (2018) – Anita Heiss (ed.). Anthology of diverse voices, experiences and stories. https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/growing-aboriginal-australia

Terra nullius (2017) – Claire G. Coleman. Historical/speculative fiction with multiple perspectives. In the near future, Australia is about to experience colonisation once more. What has been learned from the past?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2017/aug/22/speculative-fiction-is-a-powerful-political-tool-from-war-of-the-worlds-to-terra-nullius

Knowledge of life: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia (2015) – Kaye Price (ed.) Investigates history, reconciliation, law, art, enterprise, health, education, literature, sport and human rights. The authors of each chapter are indigenous and experts in their field. Each chapter begins with biographical information about the author.

 

Categories
Apple books ebooks ed tech Facebook future Games and gaming internet iPads Mental health pedagogy popular culture robots and drones sociology

ICT news and other trends

Why technologists are limiting their families’ screen time

Michelle Simmons, physicist and 2018 Australian of the Year, does not allow her teenage children to use smartphones or social media. She sees benefits in doing something else with a spare half hour, rather than using a smartphone. In December 2018, the ACCC completed an investigation into Google and Facebook, warning of the danger of ‘filter bubbles’ in public discourse. A final report is due this year. In the UK, a parliamentary committee recommended regulation of big tech companies and making them legally liable for content shared on their websites. Sean Parker, Facebook’s first president, says the company is exploiting vulnerabilities in human minds and children’s brains.

https://www.smh.com.au/technology/why-technologists-are-limiting-their-families-screen-time-20190226-p510bh.html

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/competition-watchdog-suggests-new-ombudsman-to-handle-google-and-facebook-20181210-p50l80.html

 

Teens ‘not damaged by screen time’

An Oxford University study found there is little evidence of a link between the amount of time teenagers spend on devices and their general wellbeing. Data was used from 17,000 adolescents in the UK, US and Ireland via self-reporting and time-diary techniques.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47825826

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797619830329

 

Fortnite: Is Prince Harry right to want game banned?

Prince Harry believes the game is ‘created to addict’. He added that social media was “more addictive than alcohol and drugs”. China’s tech giant Tencent has tightened checks on the age of people playing online games – checking identities and ages against a police database. Children under 12 are only able to play for an hour a day. Older children can play for up to two hours, but not during a night-time curfew.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47813894

 

‘Major distraction’: school dumps iPads, returns to paper textbooks

Reddam House primary and lower secondary classes have used e-textbooks on iPads for 5 years, but students have consistently said that they preferred pages to screens. Teachers found that the iPads distracted students and now the school is reverting to print textbooks. Students in Year 11 and 12 always had print textbooks.

https://www.smh.com.au/education/major-distraction-school-dumps-ipads-returns-to-paper-textbooks-20190329-p5191r.html

 

Trends shaping education – Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills OECD

1.Higher expectations of education: Within the next 10 years, the majority of the world’s population will be middle class, with high expectations (China and India will make up 90% of the entrants to the middle class). 2. Digitalisation: A dilemma for education is that the kinds of things that are easy to teach and test have also become easy to digitise, automate and outsource. Students will need skills to navigate the uncertainty of the gig economy. ‘Education has won the race with technology throughout history, but there is no guarantee it will do so in the future. The future is about pairing the artificial intelligence of computers with the cognitive, social, and emotional skills and values of human beings. It will be our imagination, our awareness and our sense of responsibility that will enable us to harness digitalisation to shape the world for the better.’ (Schleicher). 3. The need for continuous learning: Students will need to think for themselves, work with empathy and also collaborate. They will need to understand other cultures and how others think. They must learn to sort fact from fiction. Longer working lives bring changing skill demands. ‘For those with the right knowledge and skills, digitalisation and globalisation have been liberating and exciting; but for those who are insufficiently prepared, they can mean vulnerable and insecure work, and a life without prospects.’ (Schleicher)

https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/columnists/andreas-schleicher/trends-shaping-education?utm_source=CM&utm_medium=bulletin&utm_content=March5

 

A whole school approach to inquiry learning

Mother Teresa Primary in Westmead NSW use an inquiry-based approach in all areas of teaching and learning. Students work through 3 phases of learning: the Explore Phase, the Investigate Phase and the Building Phase, where students test, play and create possibilities. ‘Inquiry learning allows students to develop their skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, reflection and critical thinking.’ (AP Katherine Stennett). Staff also use the approach in their learning. The learning program itself is not written in advance, it is co-written with students as they journey through the learning. The inquiry-based approach allows teachers to understand exactly where their students are at in their learning.

https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/articles/a-whole-school-approach-to-inquiry-learning

 

Drones now delivering in Canberra

Google’s drone company Wing is launching this week in Canberra, with drones delivering coffee, bread, ice cream, pharmacy items and other things. This is a world-first permanent operation after trials across Canberra. There has been some concern about drone noise and a quieter model has been unveiled. Drone deliveries could inject up to $40 million into the ACT economy.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6011496/drone-delivery-service-gets-the-green-light/

 

Categories
books films Google internet literature popular culture sociology TV

Good films and books

The 10th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards

The only major book awards decided by readers – 5 million votes in 21 categories. Best fiction: Still me – Jojo Moyes; Best mystery and thriller: The outsider – Stephen King; Best science fiction: Vengeful  – V.E. Schwab; Best fantasy: Circe – Madeline Miller; Best historical fiction: The great alone – Kristin Hannah…

https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2018

 

Author interviews on ABC One plus one

Always an interesting program. Tune in after xmas for a week of author interviews from throughout 2018 with Jane Hutcheon……or check the archive. Includes Morris Gleitzman, Clementine Ford, Marcus Zusak, Liane Moriarty, Jeff Kinney, Michael Robotham, Tim Winton

https://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/one-plus-one/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/one-plus-one/archive/

 

The dry – Jane Harper

Winner of the 2017 ABIA Book of the Year; 2017 Indie Awards Book of the Year; 2017 Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year and many more. Federal Agent Falk returns to his old hometown to uncover the truth about the death of his childhood friend and face the demons of his past. I have just started reading this and I’m hooked!

‘Something mythic and valiant … a quintessential Australian story beautifully told’ (SMH)

http://janeharper.com.au/Books/The-Dry

 

Film version The dry

Eric Bana will star as Aaron Falk in the film version, to be directed by Robert Connolly. Filming begins February.

https://www.eonline.com/au/news/991937/eric-bana-to-star-in-movie-adaptation-of-aussie-bestseller-the-dry

Harpers other books: Force of nature (2017) – Agent Falk returns to investigate a missing bushwalker at a corporate retreat.

The lost man (2018) – What really happened to the third brother in the isolation of the outback?

The Lost Man is Jane Harper’s third consecutive marvel…and her most marvellous yet…. What an extraordinary novel: part family drama, part indelible ode to the Outback – a thriller as forceful and atmospheric as a brewing storm. Harper works miracles. We’re lucky to witness them.’ (A.J. Finn)

 

La belle sauvage (The book of dust part 1) – Philip Pullman

I have just finished this prequel to the Northern Lights series and loved it! Pullman’s concept of human souls manifested as animal daemons is unique and special. I want one! There will now be 2 series made, with HBO now co-producing with the BBC series; series 1 will air in 2019.  Stars Dafne Keen as Lyra, James McAvoy as Lord Asriel and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby; directed by Tom Hooper. Northern Lights won the Carnegie Medal and  later named as the finest Carnegie winner of them all. It’s an awesome series that deals with many philosophical issues. Can’t wait for The testaments, the sequel to the novel The handmaid’s tale by Margaret Atwood – due Sept 2019 (series 3 of the excellent TV series due 2019).

https://www.cnet.com/news/his-dark-materials-fantasy-tv-series-release-date-cast-plot-bbc-hbo/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6168651/His-Dark-Materials-TV-series-LOOK.html

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/28/18116012/handmaids-tale-sequel-margaret-atwood-the-testaments

 

Mortal engines film

In a dystopian future, remnants of humanity form mobile predator cities, where larger cities hunt and absorb smaller settlements. Based on the popular book series by Phillip Reeve, the film has received mixed reviews, but the author states: ‘Christian Rivers has done a fantastic job – a huge, visually awesome action movie with perfect pace and a genuine emotional core…There are many changes to the characters, world, and story, but it’s still fundamentally the same thing.’

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1571234/

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/box-office/lotr-directors-new-film-an-epic-flop/news-story/fd223c75c58072effe5c836dafcfb9f9

 

Mary Queen of Scots and The favourite

Stars Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I and Saoirse Ronan as Mary; directed by Josie Rourke. Explores the battle for power between the 2 women.

‘A darkly compelling, if factually questionable, retelling’ (The Guardian). The film The favourite, starring Emma Stone and Olivia Colman, also looks excellent – an historical comedy-drama about 2 cousins jockeying to be the court favourites of Queen Anne in the early 1700s.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/nov/16/mary-queen-of-scots-review-saoirse-ronan-josie-rourke

https://www.indiewire.com/2018/11/mary-queen-of-scots-review-saoirse-ronan-margot-robbie-1202021017/

https://www.wmagazine.com/story/the-favourite-movie-emma-stone-yorgos-lanthimos

 

Top Google searches 2018

Australian and global. Most searched person: Barnaby Joyce; What is?…bitcoin; How to…opt out of My Health Record…..

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-14/google-top-searches-for-2018/10616794

https://www.smh.com.au/technology/the-year-in-google-what-aussies-searched-for-in-2018-20181214-p50m82.html

Categories
books censorship ed tech future Games and gaming Google human rights internet literature Mental health mobile phones popular culture Science resources sociology websites

Social credit in China, ICT and book news

Social credit in China

You may have seen the intriguing Foreign Correspondent program on ABC 18 Sept. China is undertaking the most ambitious social engineering program the world has ever seen. Their ‘social credit’ system is designed to engineer better individual behaviour. By 2020 China’s 1.4 billion citizens will get a personal digital scorecard, with good behaviour rewarded and bad behaviour punished. Some say it is the world’s first digital dictatorship.

Excellent article with video. Looks at a young woman with a good social credit score and a journalist who lost his social credit and had his access to various services disabled: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/china-social-credit-a-model-citizen-in-a-digital-dictatorship/10200278

Foreign Correspondent ABC 18 Sept: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/foreign-correspondent

Black Mirror in China?: https://www.newstatesman.com/world/asia/2018/04/no-china-isn-t-black-mirror-social-credit-scores-are-more-complex-and-sinister

 

Women in physics

The new HSC physics syllabus for NSW will contain no mention of the contributions of female physicists to the field. The syllabus has 25 scientists mentioned 56 times and focuses completely on male physicists and their work. It is also believed that the gender gap in the science workforce will persist for generations, particularly in surgery, computer science, physics and maths. The gender gap was measured using data on 36 million authors of 10 million articles in 6000 scientific journals published since 2003. Globally in science and medicine, women make up 40% of the workforce, but some fields will take many years before the gender gap disappears.

https://theconversation.com/year-11-and-12-students-in-nsw-will-no-longer-learn-about-womens-contributions-to-physics-102988

https://theconversation.com/new-study-says-the-gender-gap-in-science-could-take-generations-to-fix-95150

 

URLs – is it time for something new?

Internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee regrets developing the double slash after ‘http’. A growing group now think the URL is increasingly complicated and too easily compromised. Google said they are rethinking URLs as they are hard to read and hard to know if they can be trusted. Even the ‘https with a padlock symbol’ doesn’t mean much as both good and bad sites can be encrypted.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-09-16/google-time-to-reinvent-the-url-web-browser/10238296

 

Phenomenal success of Fortnite

Launched in Sept 2017, the online video game Fortnite now has over 125 million players and has made $1.6 billion for Epic Games. It has also been linked to 200 divorces. Fortnite’s success is due to 3 principles: accessibility (it’s free with in-app purchases, on all platforms and simple to play); sociality (players can express themselves and play with others) and spectacle (failure is fun and a spectator sport). Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins, a gamer on YouTube and Twitch, has made up to $500 000 a month streaming Fortnite sessions from his bedroom.

https://theconversation.com/stay-alive-and-if-something-moves-shoot-it-one-year-of-phenomenal-success-for-fortnite-103528

Could playing Fortnite lead to ‘gaming disorder’ (video game addiction)? The World Health Organisation says yes, others disagree.

https://theconversation.com/could-playing-fortnite-lead-to-video-game-addiction-the-world-health-organisation-says-yes-but-others-disagree-98458

 

3 things we can learn from people who don’t use smartphones or social media

They spent more face-to-face time with others – connecting, talking, touching and supporting. They know that switching off is not missing out – it is exhausting to sustain numerous online connections, endless exchanges of trivial information and keep up with the overwhelming flow of information and tasks. They enjoyed new-found vitality because they connected with the world around them, helping them to reset and relax. They also had more free time.

https://theconversation.com/three-things-we-can-all-learn-from-people-who-dont-use-smartphones-or-social-media-103468

 

Man Booker Prize Shortlist 2018

Winner announced 16 Oct 2018. Includes previous winners.

https://www.bookdepository.com/Man-Booker-Prize?utm_source=NL-Body&utm_medium=email-Newsletter&utm_term=button&utm_content=MANBOOKER&utm_campaign=20180920_MANBOOKER_SHORTLIST

 

Man Booker Prize – best of the rest

The bestselling shortlisted titles that didn’t win from 50 years of the Booker Prize. Includes The handmaid’s tale; A fine balance; Cloud atlas; The secret river; Atonement; Empire of the sun; Dirt music; Notes on a scandal….

https://www.bookdepository.com/dealsAndOffers/promo/id/1876

Categories
books literature

Happy Book Week 18-24 Aug 2018! Theme: Find your treasure

New Australian books

Catching Teller Crow – Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

Told in two voices, half in prose and half in verse, interweaving themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family.

‘A totally addictive ghost story, crime story and thriller’.

‘A ghost story as well as a psychological thriller, it seamlessly weaves together the poetic and the everyday. A magnificent and life-giving novel’ – Justine Larbalestier

https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2018/07/05/110971/catching-teller-crow-ambelin-and-ezekiel-kwaymullina-au/

Cicada – Shaun Tan. Cicada has toiled in an office for many years and nobody appreciates him.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2018/jun/29/shaun-tans-cicada-a-meditation-on-belonging-and-bullying-in-pictures

The shepherd’s hut – Tim Winton. A story of survival, solitude and unlikely friendship.

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/abr-online/archive/2018/4643-brenda-niall-reviews-the-shepherd-s-hut-by-tim-winton

The Rosie result – Graeme Simsion (Feb 2019). Don and Rosie’s child is now 11. Third and final book in the series.

https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/the-rosie-result

Bridge of Clay – Markus Zusak (Oct 2018). Five orphaned boys live in a house with no rules and discover the secret behind their father’s disappearance.

https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760559922/

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia – Anita Heiss (ed.) Anthology of diverse voices, experiences and stories. https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/growing-aboriginal-australia

Terra nullius  – Claire G. Coleman. Historical/speculative fiction with multiple perspectives. In the near future, Australia is about to experience colonisation once more. What has been learned from the past?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2017/aug/22/speculative-fiction-is-a-powerful-political-tool-from-war-of-the-worlds-to-terra-nullius

Too deadly: our voice, our way, our business – Us Mob Writing. Poetry, prose and memoir anthology written by Aboriginal women in Canberra. Themes include self-worth, identity, racism, dislocation, grief, love for country.

https://verityla.com/2018/07/10/their-words-blaze-too-deadly-our-voice-our-way-our-business/

 

Dymocks new releases, coming soon etc  (adults and students)

Spinning silver – Naomi Novik; Nine perfect strangers – Liane Moriarty; The three secret cities – Matthew Reilly; The President is missing – Bill Clinton & James Patterson; The lost man – Jane Harper;  Throne of Glass #8 – Sarah J. Maas; The red fox clan (Ranger’s apprentice) – John Flanagan; The marauder’s map guide to Hogwarts – Erinn Pascal.

https://www.dymocks.com.au/

 

Dymocks Top 101 of all time 2018

Voted by readers. 1. Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling 2. All the light we cannot see – A. Doerr 3. Big little lies – L. Moriarty 4. The handmaid’s tale – M. Atwood 5. The dry – J. Harper

https://www.dymocks.com.au/top-101

 

Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) 2018

Nevermoor: the trials of Morrigan Crow – J. Townsend (Book of the Year); Good night stories for rebel girls – E. Favilli (International Book of the Year); Begin, end, begin: a #LoveOzYA anthology – A. Kaufman (Book of the Year for Older Children).

https://blog.booktopia.com.au/2018/05/04/abia-2018-winners/

 

Goodreads Best Books of 2017

Annual list voted for by readers. Categories include fiction, mystery and thriller, fantasy, science fiction, horror, memoir, non fiction, graphic novels, young adult. 2018 list due in December.

https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2017

 

Better Reading Australia’s Top 100 list

https://www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/better-reading-presents-australias-top-100-for-2017/  (2018 list due soon).

Top 50 Kids’ Books 2018: https://www.betterreading.com.au/better-reading-kids-top-50/

Reading suggestions and Weekly Top 10: http://www.betterreading.com.au/

More good reading suggestions: http://www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/

 

Magabala Books

Australia’s leading Indigenous publisher, based in Broome. Support resources will be produced in 2018 for secondary teachers to accompany books by Indigenous authors and illustrators eg. Dark emu – Bruce Pascoe; Grace beside me – S. McPherson; Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance – B. Woorunmurra. Fifteen support resources were produced in 2017 for primary teachers eg. Stolen girl – T. Saffioti; Two mates – M. Prewett; Once there was a boy – D. Leffler.

https://www.magabala.com/latestnews/teacher-resources-reading-australia-2018

https://readingaustralia.com.au/2017/05/indigenous-resources-partnership-magabala-books/

4 Magabala Books CBCA Notables 2018: https://www.magabala.com/latestnews/CBCA-2018-Notables

 

Books and Publishing: Inside the Aust. Book Industry

News, reviews, book awards.

https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/

 

Library Reads

Interesting suggestions. The top 10 books monthly, voted for by librarians in the US.

https://mailchi.mp/12958e913745/o7dg41i01d-890285?e=bd3c2b319e

 

The Big Issue 2018 Fiction Edition

Available 10 Aug 2018. ‘Traversing themes of race, identity, body transformation, forbidden love and coming of age, this year’s fiction edition includes commissioned work by authors Garth Nix, Marija Peričić, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Melanie Cheng and Tony Birch. Eight stories were also chosen through the open submission process, which this year received more than 400 submissions.’

https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2018/08/03/112650/the-big-issue-announces-2018-fiction-edition/

 

Literary quotes

‘It sounds plausible enough tonight, but wait until tomorrow. Wait for the common sense of the morning.’ – H. G. Wells: The time machine.

https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/books/the-40-most-powerful-literary-quotes/96712

 

The life and landscapes of Alison Lester

Podcast – Conversations with Richard Fidler (ABC Radio, 3 Aug 2018).

A hybrid live-action and animated feature film adaption of her book Magic beach is in development, created by 10 leading Australian animators and produced by Robert Connolly and Liz Kearney.

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-alison-lester-rpt/10045582

 

IBBY Honor Books exhibition at Woden Library, ACT from Sun 7 Oct 2pm

191 books in 50 different languages from 61 countries plus the Australian IBBY Honour Books from 1962 to 2018.

https://ibbyaustralia.wordpress.com/

 

Trask St and Ena Noel St, Coombs, ACT – named after 2 librarians 🙂

Cool!

https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2018/05/16/107795/two-canberra-streets-to-be-named-after-librarians/

 

Categories
books human rights Indigenous resources sociology

National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week

Some resources for all ages for National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week in July..….

National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June

Reconciliation is about building better relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. This year’s theme is Don’t Keep History a Mystery. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/ – excellent conversation starters here – information about activists, land rights, families….

Reconciliation Week teaching resource (information linked to people on this year’s poster): https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/teaching_learning_resource.pdf

 

NAIDOC Week 8 July – 15 July

This year’s theme is Because of Her, We Can, which celebrates the continuing contribution of indigenous women to communities, families, history and the nation.

http://www.naidoc.org.au/

http://www.naidoc.org.au/news/2018-national-naidoc-theme-announced

Poster artist Cheryl Moggs: http://www.naidoc.org.au/news/artwork-powers-naidoc-celebration-indigenous-women

20 inspiring black women who have changed Australia: http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2015/03/06/20-inspiring-black-women-who-have-changed-australia

Who we are (8 min.): Follows the lives of 6 exceptional young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who share their stories about their families and communities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxPWd_0z3Ng

 

Reconciliation Australia also links to:

Narragunnawali: reconciliation in schools and early learning: Many resources for schools – all levels.

https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/

https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/curriculum-resources?page=1

Professional learning resources: https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/professional-learning

Share Our Pride –  Clearly presented information into the history, lives and cultures of Australia’s First People.

http://www.shareourpride.org.au/

 

Committee to investigate constitutional recognition

10 March 2018: The Australian Parliament appointed a joint select committee to work towards a successful referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The committee will examine the recommendations of the Referendum Council report, the Uluru Statement, the Committee on Constitutional Recognition’s report of 2015, and the 2012 final report of the Expert Panel on Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution. Interim report – 30 July; final report – 29 November.

Reconciliation News: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/rec-news-final-web-ready-high-res.pdf

 

Frontier wars

Historians at the University of Newcastle have created an interactive map showing the location of more than 170 massacres of Aboriginal people in eastern Australia between 1788 and 1872.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-05/new-map-plots-massacres-of-aboriginal-people-in-frontier-wars/8678466

https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/introduction.php

 

AIATSIS map of indigenous Australia (languages and groups): http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/map/default.htm

 

Gurrumul

Wonderful film about the life of celebrated indigenous singer and musician, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who died in 2017. Our students loved this film and found it very moving.

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/gurrumul-documentary-review-a-breakthrough-look-at-musician-and-his-people-20180417-h0yvex.html

 

The songkeepers

This inspiring film tells the story of a Central Australian Aboriginal women’s choir who sing hymns in indigenous languages and visit Germany to perform. The story of the choirmaster and the choir was recently on Australian Story on ABC.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/apr/19/the-song-keepers-ancient-german-hymns-find-new-life-in-australian-outback

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/the-choirmaster/9748400

 

Right wrongs

An excellent resource. Short videos and information explore developments since the 1967 referendum which changed how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the constitution. Sections include: Controlled but not counted; Fighting for change; An extraordinary vote; The legacy; Where to now?

http://www.abc.net.au/rightwrongs/

 

ABC Education

Many resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Also includes digibooks – Sorry Day, 1967 referendum and Vincent Lingiari the leader.

http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/topic/494038/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures

 

ABC Indigenous

Access the latest Indigenous stories and features from ABC Radio, News & Current Affairs, TV and iview.

http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/default.htm

 

Creative Spirits

“Learn about contemporary Aboriginal culture without agenda”. Many resources in many areas including history, arts, people, economy, law and justice, politics and media, spirituality. “Creative Spirits is an amazing collection of history and an inspiring representation of Aboriginal culture”—Michele Hetherington, Aboriginal woman from NSW. www.creativespirits.info/

 

Reconciliation Film Club

Developed by Reconciliation Australia, NITV and SBS. This online platform supports organisations to host screenings of compelling documentaries from our leading indigenous filmmakers.

https://www.sbs.com.au/learn/reconciliationfilmclub

 

NITV – National Indigenous Television

Informs, educates and entertains its indigenous and non-indigenous audiences. Great documentaries, news, personal accounts and perspectives.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/

Explore topics and link to videos: Social issues, Cultures, Arts, Social Justice… http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/topics

NITV documentaries for National Reconciliation Week 2018

Excellent films – Servant or slave (history of servitude by Aboriginal women); My survival as an Aboriginal (female black activist);  Nyoongar footy magic; Mabo: life of an island man.

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2018/05/18/nitv-presents-host-critically-acclaimed-documentaries-national-reconciliation

 

NITV programs include:

NITV programs on demand: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/channels/nitv

Movies on NITV: http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movies/nitv-movies

Grace beside me: New children’s series about the adventures of indigenous 13 year old Fuzzy Mac who keeps seeing ghosts. Based on the novel by Sue McPherson.  https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/grace-beside-me

The point: Current affairs and news for all Australians, with indigenous perspectives.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/the-point

Custodians: 5 minute profiles of Aboriginal traditional  owners, showcasing their country. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/search/custodians

The Dreaming: Animated stories explained by elders. http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/677413443508/the-dreaming-series-1-ep-24

Little J and Big Cuz: Provides a young indigenous audience with ‘relatable’ characters and offers an insight into traditional Aboriginal culture, country and language. Includes online educational games.

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/jarjums

 

SBS On Demand

A changing selection of films, documentaries and newsclips. Search for “indigenous” and “Aboriginal” programs.

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/

 

Books

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia (2018) – Anita Heiss (ed.). Anthology of diverse voices, experiences and stories. https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/growing-aboriginal-australia

Terra nullius (2017) – Claire G. Coleman. Historical/speculative fiction with multiple perspectives. In the near future, Australia is about to experience colonisation once more. What has been learned from the past?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2017/aug/22/speculative-fiction-is-a-powerful-political-tool-from-war-of-the-worlds-to-terra-nullius

Dark emu (2014) – Bruce Pascoe. A new perspective on indigenous history, arguing against ‘hunter gatherer’ history and providing evidence of sedentary living and crops.

Knowledge of life: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia (2015) – Kaye Price (ed.) Investigates history, reconciliation, law, art, enterprise, health, education, literature, sport and human rights. The authors of each chapter are indigenous and experts in their field. Each chapter begins with biographical information about the author.

Excellent book list: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/recommended-reading.pdf

Excellent film and TV list: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/recommended-viewing.pdf

Categories
books films Indigenous resources popular culture

Good books and shortlists

Some good new books out now:

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia

Compiled by Anita Heiss; to be released 16 April. The book includes diverse childhood stories of family, country and belonging.All of the contributors speak from the heart – sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect.’ Contributors include Adam Goodes, Miranda Tapsell, Deborah Cheetham…..For Years 9 to 12; teaching notes available.

https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/growing-aboriginal-australia

 

The shepherd’s hut

New novel by Tim Winton and it sounds amazing. A youth struggles with his life after a violent incident, fleeing his hometown to find the only person who understands him. But what he finds out challenges everything….. ‘Jaxie Clackton is destined to become one of the greatest characters in Australian literature’ (Geraldine Brooks).

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-shepherds-hut-9780143786115

Review: ‘Austere, beautiful & compelling…an unblinking vision of hope’

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-shepherds-hut-review-tim-wintons-austere-beautiful-and-compelling-novel-20180228-h0wsl1.html

 

Ninja kid: from nerd to ninja

New book series from Anh Do. Nelson lives in a junkyard and finds out on his 10th birthday he has ninja powers. Now he must protect his town and beyond. Ages 6+.

https://www.readings.com.au/review/ninja-kid-from-nerd-to-ninja-by-anh-do-and-jeremy-ley

 

WeirDo TV series

Anh Do’s popular books are becoming an animated TV series.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/12/anh-do-developing-kids-tv-project.html

 

Read like a girl: books to celebrate women and girls

Includes:

Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls 2 features 100 new bedtime stories about famous women from around the world, from Nefertiti to Beyonce, transforming each biography into an inspiring story. The women were chosen by global readers and the book also features 100 stunning portraits created by 70 leading female artists. For Ages 5+

Shout out to the girls: a celebration of awesome Australian women

Turia Pitt, Julia Gillard, biologists, rally car drivers, women in all fields…..

https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/read-like-a-girl?utm_campaign=2018-03-08+International+Women’s+Day&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ARB+Master+Subscription

 

Stella Prize Shortlist 2018

Celebrating Australian women’s writing since 2013. Includes:

Terra nullius by indigenous author Claire G. Coleman. ‘In the near future Australia is about to experience colonisation once more. What have we learned from our past?’

http://thestellaprize.com.au/

 

Indie Book Awards

Shortlist with winners 26 March. Includes: Force of nature by Jane Harper; Working class man by Jimmy Barnes; Wimmera by Mark Brandi; Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend; Pig the star by Aaron Blabey.

 

2018 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs)

Longlist with winners 3 May. Includes Unmasked by Turia Pitt;  Saga land by Richard Fidler; The book of dust by Philip Pullman; I’m Australian too by Mem Fox.

http://abiawards.com.au/general/2018-abia-longlist/

 

Books on Screen 2018

Film and TV – A wrinkle in time; Ready player one; The cuckoo’s calling (Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling); Little women; Throne of glass. Long list of books on screen.

https://www.bookdepository.com/books-and-movies

 

The Book Oscars

A bit of fun from Book Depository….Who will win for best female character in a book? Best male? Best author? Best debut novel? Best book adapted into a movie? Special effects?

https://www.bookdepository.com/book-oscars?utm_source=NL-Body&utm_medium=email-Newsletter&utm_term=button&utm_content=OSCARS&utm_campaign=20180308_OSCARS

 

Australia’s Top 20

Book Depository’s top 20 books sold in Australia.

https://www.bookdepository.com/autop20?utm_source=NL-Body&utm_medium=email-Newsletter&utm_term=button&utm_content=TOP20AU&utm_campaign=20180312_TOP20AU

Categories
books literature music popular culture sociology YouTube

Top books and YouTube 2017 and other trivia

Goodreads Choice Awards 2017

Over 3.8 million votes cast – the only major book awards decided by readers. Winners and nominees for categories – fiction, mystery & thriller, fantasy, sci fi, horror, humour, non fiction, science & technology, autobiography, graphic novels, young adult, picture books etc  Winners include: Into the water – Paula Hawkins; Artemis – Andy Weir; Sleeping beauties – Stephen King; Fantastic beasts screenplay – J.K.Rowling; We’re all wonders – R.J. Palacio.

https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2017

 

Top viral YouTube videos of 2017

Includes History of the entire world, I guess; In a heartbeat animated film; Children interrupt BBC News interview: Bad lip-reading of Trump’s inauguration.

http://time.com/5049496/top-viral-youtube-videos-2017/

Australia’s top 10 YouTube: Ping pong trick shots; Superwog skits:  https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/12/australia-these-are-your-top-10-youtube-videos-of-2017/

Top YouTube music videos:  Despacito; Shape of you…https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/6/16741044/top-10-youtube-videos-2017

 

40 best gadgets of 2017

Virtual bikes, smart speakers, toy robots, wireless earbuds….….

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/19/tech-gadgets-toys-luxury-items-of-2017

 

The world’s highest paid celebrities

  1. Sean Combs 2. Beyonce 3. J.K. Rowling…..

https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/list/#tab:overall