TEACHER RESOURCE 6: IMPACT ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

This resource includes:

1.    Links to year 5 Achievement Standards

2.    Values and Sensitivities of teaching Aboriginal History

3.    Vocabulary

4.    Summary of student activity on conflicting values and beliefs

5.    Notes on changing relationships between Aboriginal Australians and European settlers

6.    Information on a significant event in the colony and student activity: What happened at Pinjarra?
       Two stories, one event.

Student Activities - Aboriginal and British Points of View

                       What Happened at Pinjarra? - Research and Readers Theatre

1.   Links to Achievement Standards 

• Place key people and events in a chronological sequence 
• Identify points of view and attitudes from primary sources
• Understand cause and effect of events and developments as well as motivations and feelings of people from the time  
• Explain the significance of people and events to bring about change 
• Compose historical texts, using appropriate historical source material, terms and concepts.

2.    Teaching Aboriginal History – Values and Sensitivities

Download this document before you begin teaching this section. Please familiarise yourself with the suggested language and themes to ensure Aboriginal students in your class are not offended while studying this topic.

3.    Vocabulary (Using Historical Language)

The Vocabulary List should be introduced at the start of the topic to stimulate discussion or as a research task. Have students add to the List as new terms are introduced.

See TEACHER RESOURCE 6: Vocabulary (Using Historical Language)

Also see http://www.noongarculture.org.au/   for Noongar/ Wadjela Contact History

4.    Student Activity on conflicting Values and Beliefs

Changes to the environment in the early years of the Swan River Colony meant native animals and plants were removed to make way for farms while others were introduced. The environment, which had supported the abundant birdlife, kangaroos, reptiles, fish and seals that fed and clothed Aboriginal people in the South West of the country (the Noongar people) for over 40,000 years was under attack. Settler activities such as clearing the land, building fences, sheds and houses, planting crops, grazing stock and hunting native animals on the land and sea destroyed the basis of Aboriginal physical life. It also assaulted their belief system and tribal traditions, which the Europeans failed to recognize or understand.

See STUDENT ACTIVITY 6: Aboriginal and British Points of View

Completing this activity will assist students in understanding differing values and beliefs of the Aboriginal and British people who lived in Colonial Australia. The chart should be introduced for class discussion or as group research. Use books and/or the electronic media for research.

Sources to assist in completing the chart:

• http://www.workingwithatsi.info/content/key_ideas1.htm
• http://www.noongarculture.org.au/

5.    Changing Relationships between Colonists and Aboriginal People

Due to the expansion of British and European settlement, diverging values over land and the attitudes of colonists during the 1830s, conflict brewed. An attitude of fear among the settlers was clearly expressed. By the end of the first five years of settlement Noongar life had been greatly changed. See TEACHER RESOURCE 6: Changing Relationships

6.    What happened at Pinjarra?

A significant event which brought tensions to a head occurred in Pinjarra in 1834. It is one of many clashes between Aboriginal people and the new settlers that occurred across the colony. Pinjarra showed Stirling’s concessions had ended and fear became a way of life for many rural settlers. It is a significant event in the history of the settlement of the Swan River Colony and variously referred to as either a ‘Battle’ or a ‘Massacre’ depending on the perspective.

A clash occurred on 28 October 1834 between Murray River Aborigines [Bindjareb Noongar] and Stirling’s party of 25 soldiers and police. See TEACHER RESOURCE 6: What Happened at Pinjarra?

Suggested Student Activity: What Happened In Pinjarra - A Massacre Or A Battle?
Student piece together the events of the conflict – detective work can take place.
See student friendly versions of some accounts at TEACHER RESOURCE 6: Eyewitnesses at Pinjarra