IMPACT OF COLONIAL AND POST-COLONIAL EXPERIENCES

Aboriginal people are considered as the first people who came to the continent of Australia around 45,000 years ago. In the recent era, there are about 500 different Aboriginal people in their country. The culture of the Aboriginal and the Torres Straits islanders had been developed for many years and considered as one of the world’s most ancient living cultures. According to the stories explored in National Indigenous Television’s (NITV) programs, which provided me with valuable insights about the colonel and the postcolonial experience of the Aboriginal and the Torres Straits islanders. This provided me with the influences of colonialism among those people. The colonialism has affected significantly in Australia by European settlers, especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians people. I personally identified that, it results in those people to experience extreme hardship. This also makes them lose their traditional culture along with forced removal of the Australian children from their own homeland, which resulted in loss of their citizenship rights. The history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enlightened me with various aspects of those people. These people have been denied access to basic human rights in their country. This included their basic right to their health, housing, education and employment.

It also provided knowledge of the way foreign inventions in the country and their impact on the people of the country. For many years, the identities of Australia's Indigenous peoples have been significantly influenced by foreigners, starting with the British invasion and continuing through colonisation and settlement. Over time, the unique circumstances of the colonial era have shaped these identities through postcolonial contexts. With the politicisation and realisation of rights in recent decades, Indigenous peoples have established and affirmed their own identities. The stories explored in National Indigenous Television’s (NITV) programs provided an overview of several perspectives on Australian Indigenous identity and ethnicity, including how these are expressed in terminology like "Aboriginality" and "indigeneity," which provided contribution in their natural habitat and their culture. It also enables me to gather knowledge about their pre-colonial to post-colonial contexts, where recognition and rights, as well as the mobilisation of Aboriginal identity and forms of identification, are informed by Indigenous self-determination.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND POLICIES

I find myself travelling through the intricate and frequently painful current concerns and policies arising from the colonial and post-colonial memories of Australia's Indigenous communities when I immerse myself in the narratives offered by National Indigenous Television (NITV). A moving event highlights the long-lasting effects of colonialism while also highlighting resiliency, cultural rebirth, and the continuous fight for justice.

I found that the narratives that NITV's programming focuses on show highlight the deep effects of colonisation on Indigenous people. They expose the brutal realities of child abduction, cultural erasure, systemic prejudice, and dispossession. These stories reveal the deep-seated traumas that Indigenous Australians are still dealing with, and they ring with the resonance of history. This serves as a sobering reminder that the consequences of colonisation continue into the present day. It is impossible to interact with NITV's programming without coming into contact with the laws that have moulded Australia's Indigenous population. I observed that recurring themes include the Stolen Generations, the national repentance, and modern approaches to closing the gap. In the continuous pursuit of justice and reconciliation, these policies are essential. They stand for a country trying to reconcile with its past and move forward.

The stories on NITV highlight the intricacies of Indigenous identity in the post-colonial age. Therefore, from my viewpoint, they serve as examples of the persistence of Indigenous traditions and customs, the magnificence of cultural rebirth, and the value of land. These stories dispel the myth of an all-encompassing Indigenous identity and highlight the diverse range of cultures that exist within Indigenous communities. NITV gives Indigenous perspectives on current concerns and a forum that goes beyond historical and traditional narratives.

The importance of reconciliation, constitutional recognition, and the necessity of disclosing the truth about the colonial past is acknowledged. In order to address the current issues that Indigenous Australians are facing while move the country in the direction of a more inclusive and equitable future, these conversations are essential. However, while narrating, the NITV is a symbol of Indigenous autonomy and self-determination, not just a network. Indigenous tribes use it as a way to share their tales, celebrate their accomplishments, and create their own narratives.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT AS LEARNERS

Students from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait generally come from a rich family background. They have a culturally enriched family background and I feel that this has an influence over their development as learners. Having a stable background influences the students to have proper concentration on their education and ensures that they are interested in growth. I feel that their family background influences their interest in various subjects, which increases their dedication towards educational growth (education.qld.gov.au, 2023). In addition to this, the students also have a different range of languages that they speak and this has an influence over the educational content that they can understand as well. Being an educator in this field makes the job challenging since I have to look out for the satisfaction of the needs of every child, in spite of the fact that they may be unable to understand the language I am accustomed to using.

Performing as an educator in trying to teach individual students belonging to a different community has been challenging as well as interesting for my career. I have enjoyed the moments since the multiple life experiences of the students have encouraged me to do more for their development in life. I had to understand the three types of languages that are generally spoken by Aboriginal students in order to be able to communicate easily with them. It was challenging at first for me and I was not readily accepted in the community due to the difference in language. However, they have a helpful nature and many of the individuals from the society helped me to learn the local language, which helped me to communicate with my students in the future. The general nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of being responsible and having empathy made it easier for me to communicate with them and ensure I inform them of the benefits of education and ensure the students are accepting of this process (education.qld.gov.au, 2023). Working with the local teachers allowed me to incorporate these characteristics within myself as well which helped me to become a competent teacher within the society of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

LANGUAGE AND OTHER LINGUISTIC FACTORS IN EDUCATION

I have been able to identify from my experience that various linguistic factors relevant to education have influenced the process of education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait students. In order to be able to teach them based on their traditional language, it was necessary for me to understand the syntax and morphology process of their local languages (education.qld.gov.au, 2023). This allowed me to express myself better and ensure that the education process was taking place in a proper manner. In addition to this, it was also necessary for me to understand the social and cultural uses of the languages in order to be able to maintain a social connection with the students. Maintaining the accuracy of communication with these learners was necessary for me as an educator to ensure that I am also able to teach them properly regarding their own society and their contributions.

I believe that the cultural differences between Aboriginal and Torres Strait learners with the local Australians differ and hence it is necessary that I follow these cultural specifications in order to become a part of their society, prior to teaching them about it. I effectively understood there was a strong relationship between their languages and the cultures that are followed by the individuals practising a certain form of traditional language (education.qld.gov.au, 2023). Thus, understanding the practices of followers in one culture also reflects how the language followed in the region is effective in influencing the behaviour of learners in that region.

I have learned while narrating this linguistic variety among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) learners must be acknowledged in the context of education. These students frequently bring a variety of linguistic backgrounds to the classroom, including varieties of Aboriginal English, creole languages that have developed since colonisation and indigenous languages that have been spoken for generations. Therefore, for me, it has been very imperative that teachers comprehend and honour these varied linguistic backgrounds. Teaching ‘English’ language proficiency is important, so is valuing the culturaland linguistic background of these students. In order to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander EAL/D learners with an inclusive and culturally sensitive education, effective pedagogical practices should consider these linguistic variables.

PERSONAL REFLECTION IN DEVELOPMENT AS AN EDUCATOR

My understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their varied linguistic backgrounds has grown, and this has had a profound impact on me as an educator. It has shed light on the diversity and depth of Indigenous languages and civilizations. My respect for this student cultural history has grown because of realising that they may speak indigenous languages, creoles, or varieties of Aboriginal English when they enter the classroom. It has also emphasised how crucial it is to have a welcoming and culturally aware learning environment. I have come to see how important it is to value and recognise the linguistic diversity of these students in order to help successfully them. It is important to encourage a sense of confidence in their origin and identity in addition to teaching English. This realisation has motivated me to look for tools and professional development that I can offer. As an educator, in my opinion I personally say that the Australian government policies are significantly beneficial for the education of these people.

In order to achieve equitable access to and participation in education, as well as equitable and appropriate educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy seeks to improve the availability, responsiveness, and effectiveness of education services. In my opinion, there are certain measurements that can be taken of those people in order to enhance and provide education to those children. Based on my perspective, education development can be done for these people if effective policies exist in the country. In this regard, I personally think each of the states and the territories of the country along with non-governmental and higher educational bodies can join with the Commonwealth. This can be beneficial for those people that can provide the people with the aspects of their National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy. This also enables them to monitor, evaluate their performances. Additionally, I think a publicly annual report over the evaluation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will be beneficial for the educators for monitoring their students.     

Are you struggling to keep up with the demands of your academic journey? Don't worry, we've got your back! Exam Question Bank is your trusted partner in achieving academic excellence for all kind of technical and non-technical subjects.

Our comprehensive range of academic services is designed to cater to students at every level. Whether you're a high school student, a college undergraduate, or pursuing advanced studies, we have the expertise and resources to support you.

To connect with expert and ask your query click here Exam Question Bank