YDP Education Guide (version 2.0)
by Jack Egan
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Ngamanda! Welcome!
This is an education guide to the Yubulyawan Dreaming Project (YDP) website (www.ydproject.com). The Yubulyawan Dreaming Project YDP is dedicated to documenting and sharing the wonderful cultural heritage and wisdom of Yidumduma Bill Harney, senior Australian Aboriginal Elder of the Yubulyawan clan of the Wardaman people. The Elder has directed the collection of all material and approved all material shown on this site. Wardaman country runs from Katherine in a wide swathe southwest to the Victoria River in Australia’s Northern Territory.
How this guide is organized
The key ideas are explained in order and each is illustrated through hyperlinks to the YDP, other websites and readily available electronic or printed books. Each key idea can be taught through the associated lesson ideas. A comprehensive list of Australian Curriculum elements relevant to teaching the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures cross-curriculum priority in school-years Transition to Year 10 is given on pages 4-5 (‘Transition’ is the name of the first full school year students undertake. It transitions them from Preschool to Year 1). The particular elements of the Australian Curriculum addressed by each lesson idea are given there also. The page format of this Guide is landscape so that it fits computer screens.
Introduction: Dreaming - Law – Country
These concepts are the core of Aboriginal worldviews. They are closely connected. The Dreaming brings the Law and Country into existence. The Law tells how to look after Country. Country is the land and everything in it including humans. The connections are so close that, in some contexts, ‘Dreaming’, ‘Law’ and ‘Country’ are used interchangeably.
This holism in Aboriginal worldviews is really important.
We linked in together, joined in, see...with the rock paintings and trees and the stars and everything all connected together." Bill Harney
But that, though true, is not an easy way in for our students or we teachers. So, to understand the connections let us unpack one concept at a time.
Warning
The materials collected or referred to in this guide or on the website may contain the names or images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.
Copyright
This Guide is copyrighted to the Yubulyawan Dreaming Project.
Related Links:
ABC Educational resources about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture
Curriculum: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World
Global Oneness Project
