Silkwood – Connecting to Country through Totems (781mb)

Summary

The video script introduces Jalen, a traditional owner of the Juggern land and descendant of King Bill and Nelly with the eagle as his totem. It highlights Silkwood School's commitment to indigenous knowledge, where students connect with their local environment through totem animals. The school, located in the Yugambeh language region, fosters a learning journey that integrates Yugembeh language, cultural activities, environmental exploration, and traditional games, encouraging students to become custodians of the land and develop respect for its sustaining power.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The script introduces Jalen, a traditional owner of the Juggen people, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the land and its indigenous people.
• 👋 Greetings are extended to the audience, setting a welcoming and respectful tone for the video about Silkwood School.
• 🌳 Silkwood School is located on Goomburra country, part of the broader Yugambeh language region, highlighting the school's connection to the local environment and indigenous heritage.
• 🐾 The school focuses on building connections to the local environment through indigenous knowledge, teaching students about their clan values and the responsibility to care for the land.
• 🦘 Each class at Silkwood is associated with a totem animal and its habitat, which is specific to the school's natural environment, fostering a deep connection with nature.
• 📚 Older students mentor younger ones, sharing knowledge about totem animals, cultural activities, and environmental investigations, promoting a sense of community and learning.
• 🎨 Interactive cultural and art activities are used to build on the totem animal story, allowing students to explore their creativity and deepen their connection to their totem.
• 🔍 Environmental investigations take students into the bush to learn about their totem animal's habitat, survival strategies, and the role of the animal in the ecosystem.
• 🍃 The school teaches about 'bush law,' showing students how indigenous people use native plants for food and tools, instilling respect for the land's resources.
• 🏃‍♂️ Physical games based on traditional indigenous activities are incorporated into the curriculum, developing agility and skills that were crucial for survival in the bush.
• 🌐 The spirit of Silkwood is about inspiring students to get connected to their environment, make a difference, and embrace the school's unique way of learning.

Q & A

Who is Jalen and what is his significance in the script?

Jalen is a traditional owner of the Juggen people, belonging to the Man and Jelly people of Beaudesert. He is a direct descendant of King Bill and Nelly with Mibbin the Eagle as his totem, and his presence in the script signifies the importance of acknowledging the indigenous heritage and connection to the land.

What is the geographical region that Southeast Queensland belongs to in terms of language and clans?

Southeast Queensland belongs to the Eugene Bell language region and incorporates several different clan groups, indicating the diversity of indigenous cultures in the area.

What is the significance of totems in the learning process at Silkwood School?

Totems are significant in the learning process at Silkwood School as they help students connect to their natural environment and learn about their responsibilities to care for the land through their totem animals.

How does Silkwood School integrate indigenous knowledge and values into its curriculum?

Silkwood School integrates indigenous knowledge and values by focusing on building connections to the local environment, teaching students about their clan values, and incorporating totem animals into their learning journey.

What are the different activities that students at Silkwood School engage in to learn about their totem animals?

Students at Silkwood School engage in activities such as creating totem animal stories, participating in cultural and art activities, conducting environmental investigations, learning about bush law, and playing physical games based on traditional indigenous games.

What is the role of older students at Silkwood School in the learning process?

Older students at Silkwood School play a mentoring role, helping younger students learn how to care for the country and write in their own school yard, sharing their experiences and knowledge.

How do students at Silkwood School develop their understanding of the Yugembe language?

Students develop their understanding of the Yugembe language through the integration of the language in totem animal stories, where key messages are threaded through the story with Yugembe language interwoven.

What is the importance of the natural environment in the learning journey at Silkwood School?

The natural environment is crucial in the learning journey at Silkwood School as it provides a context for students to connect with their totem animals, explore their habitats, and understand the ecosystem as part of their learning.

How do the cultural and art activities at Silkwood School enhance the learning experience?

Cultural and art activities at Silkwood School enhance the learning experience by providing students with an opportunity to explore their creativity, connect to their totem animals in a more tactile way, and learn more about their cultural heritage.

What is the Silkwood way of learning as described in the script?

The Silkwood way of learning is an approach that integrates the school's story and the natural environment to shape how students learn and grow each day, emphasizing connection to the land, indigenous knowledge, and responsibility towards the environment.

What message does the script convey about the spirit of Silkwood?

The script conveys that the spirit of Silkwood is about inspiring students to get connected to their environment and cultural heritage, and to make a difference by becoming custodians and developing respect for the land.