The AIATSIS map helps students understand Indigenous connections to place in the following ways:

• Shows the diverse language and social groups across Australia. Students can explore the richness of Indigenous cultures and their distinct connections to specific regions.

• By understanding the distribution of language groups, students can appreciate how Indigenous communities have cared for their environment sustainably for thousands of years. Country is not just land; it’s a holistic relationship with nature.

• The map encourages respect for Indigenous knowledge and heritage. It highlights that Indigenous peoples’ identities are inseparable from their Country.

• When students learn about the traditional custodians of the land they inhabit, they gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous connections and histories.

Aboriginal symbols visually represent elements of nature, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. By introducing students to these symbols, teachers can foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness between people and their environment.

• Each symbol carries a story or meaning. By incorporating Aboriginal symbols into lessons, educators can encourage students to explore the narratives behind them.

• Teaching Aboriginal symbols fosters respect for Indigenous knowledge and heritage. It encourages students to recognize the depth of Indigenous connections to Country.

• teachers should emphasise cultural sensitivity, acknowledging that these symbols are part of living traditions and not mere artifacts of the past.

Each leaf and stone represents an individual student. Personalisation encourages engagement and makes the learning experience more relatable. Students may become more invested in understanding their local environment and connection to their sense of community within the classroom.

Each hand symbolises diverse populations and the various colours represent cultural diversity.

The green represents shared sense of place/interconnectedness.

Students consider how different communities are connected geographically and culturally.

Class discussion: (what does it mean to be connected to place?, what factors influence peoples connections to place? (language, culture, beliefs).

Reflection: (What surprised them on the interconnectedness of places?), (How do these connections impact students own lives?).

“Why I Love Australia” by Bronwyn Bancroft provides insights into how people and places are connected in inquiry learning. Through its content, students can explore Australian culture, wildlife, and the land’s natural beauty. By engaging with indigenous art patterns, feathers, and other native elements, the book illustrates the connections between individuals and their environment.

Land is of great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the living environment goes beyond physical elements, and is fundamental to Indigenous identity. Students explore the ways in which peoples connection to place can be influenced by culture and belonging to land.