‘Phenomenal’ Institute captures student’s attention during Canberra visit

14 April 2011

 

Eighteen Indigenous students studying for the University of Western Sydney (UWS) newly introduced, Bachelor of Community and Social Development degree, visited the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in early April as part of their “Who do you think you are?” studies.

Dr Wendy Holland, UWS Indigenous Graduate Attribute Team Leader, said it was vital that first year students were able to visit key institutions – particularly those such as AIATSIS who were able to assist directly assist their course of study.

“What AIATSIS holds by way of Indigenous family history material is phenomenal – yet not sufficiently known or appreciated,” Dr Holland added.

“Who do you think you are? provides students practice in the analysis of historical documents, family narratives, autobiography, political and social issues around a project that will give a context for their own personal story. Students will develop skills in oral history work, locating and retrieving archival documents and compiling their own ‘family tree’.

“This unit of study is part of a new three year degree course and the 18 students visiting Canberra are first year students,” Dr  Holland said.  “Student ages range from immediate school leavers to mature aged students.”

Dr Holland said the UWS has also introduced the requirements that all students undertake some units of Indigenous studies as part of their undergraduate program.

One of the course lecturers, Rea Saunders, a Gamilaraay woman, said that the course had attracted Indigenous students from all over New South Wales – and three from far North Queensland.

“The course is run as a block residential program with students required to spend a specified number of weeks a year in Sydney.

“Given that a major component of the course covers family history and genealogy, the visit to AIATSIS has really captured the attention of students,” Rea said.

“The extent of the family history information is amazing and I don’t think people really appreciate the what is held in the AIATSIS archives”.