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Indigenous Education Policy

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Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The rationale for this policy is both historical and grounded in contemporary evidence. Indigenous Australians are statistically amongst the most disadvantaged groups in Australia. The statistics relating to health, housing, income, imprisonment and ultimately life expectancy, combine to severely impact upon the ability of Indigenous people to successfully participate in the education system.

(2) In addition, while very few Australians have had the opportunity to interact with Indigenous Australians, until recently little if anything of substance was taught in schools about Indigenous Australia. Consequently many non-Indigenous Australians know very little about this part of their national heritage.

(3) These two realities, combined with the fact that the Indigenous population of Greater Western Sydney is estimated at to be the largest single Indigenous community in Australia provides Western Sydney University not only with a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Indigenous disadvantage, but an unparalleled opportunity to develop an identity which is uniquely Australian. In this regard the University believes that knowledge of Indigenous Australia should not only be an attribute shared by its graduates, but a fundamental part of Australian identity.

(4) This policy is also required because the University has an obligation to have policy and procedures in place to support the attainment of the following:

  1. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy:
    1. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy forms the foundation of all Indigenous education programmes. The Policy has been endorsed by the Australian government, as well as all State and Territory governments. The policy spells out 21 long-term, national goals, which are subsets of four major goals.
  2. Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC) Strategic Plan for 2006-2008
    1. The Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council is an advisory body established by the Commonwealth Government to provide policy advice on issues concerning Indigenous Australians in higher education. In its Strategic Plan for 2006-2008, entitled, "Improving Indigenous Outcomes and Enhancing Indigenous Culture and Knowledge in Australian Higher Education", the IHEAC has identified 7 priority areas for development within Australian universities.
  3. Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Commonwealth)
    1. The Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Commonwealth) sets out the conditions under which Australian Universities receive Commonwealth funding for the specific purpose of Indigenous student support.
  4. Western Sydney University's Indigenous Reconciliation Statement:
    1. Western Sydney University's Indigenous Reconciliation Statement is a statement of principles and sets forth the University's commitment to Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Employment

(5) The University is also committed to the increased employment and professional development of Indigenous Australians. This commitment is being set out in the Indigenous Employment and Engagement Strategy and associated policies that are under development.

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Section 2 - Definitions

(6) For the purpose of this policy:

  1. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - is defined as any person who:
    1. is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
    2. identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
    3. is recognised by the Indigenous community in which they live as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
      1. Note that this definition is based on the definition of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander that has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Australia for administrative purposes.
  2. Indigenous education - refers not only to the creation of equitable opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous Australians, but the opportunity and therefore process by which all Australians can gain knowledge about Indigenous Australia. Indigenous education also encompasses Indigenous research.
  3. Indigenous People - "Indigenous populations are composed of the existing descendants of the peoples who inhabited the present territory of a country wholly or partially at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world, overcame them and, by conquest, settlement or other means, reduced them to a non-dominant or colonial situation..." (United Nations Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Rights, ref E/Cn.4./Sub.2/L.566, 1982).
    1. In this document with the exception of reference to international indigenous peoples, the term "Indigenous" specifically refers to the Indigenous people of Australia who are otherwise known as "Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders".
  4. Indigenous research - refers to research about Indigenous Australians by either Indigenous or non-Indigenous researchers. The term also refers to research conducted by Indigenous researchers on topics which may or may not be Indigenous in nature.
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Section 3 - Policy Statement

Vision

(7) The University's vision is to contribute to the national process of Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by establishing Western Sydney University as a site of exemplary practice in Indigenous Education.

(8) This Indigenous Education Policy provides guidance for the development and management of Indigenous education at the University. It does this by setting out objectives, principles and protocols. In doing so the University Indigenous Education Policy aims to align Western Sydney University's educational activities with national Indigenous education policy and guidelines as well as existing University documentation relating to Indigenous education.

Objectives

(9) In line with these policies, priorities and principles, the objectives of the University are to:

  1. Increase Indigenous undergraduate enrolment rates to levels commensurate with those of other Australians.
  2. Improve Indigenous undergraduate progression, success and completion rates to levels commensurate with those of other Australians.
  3. Increase Indigenous postgraduate enrolments rates to levels commensurate with those of other Australians.
  4. Improve Indigenous postgraduate progression and completion rates to levels commensurate with those of other Australians.
  5. Increase Indigenous research and increase Indigenous participation in governance of research.
  6. Ensure the inclusion of appropriate Indigenous content in curriculum across the University.
  7. Raise the prominence of Indigenous culture across the University.
  8. Increase Indigenous community engagement and outreach.
  9. Increase Indigenous participation in governance and decision making.
  10. Foster international Indigenous awareness and collaborative projects.

Principles

(10) The University acknowledges Indigenous Australians as the original Australians and ongoing custodians of "Country" who occupy a unique place within Australian society and subsequently within the University. Therefore the University seeks to develop a unique and very Australian institutional identity, one which takes pride in and actively seeks to identify with Indigenous Australia.

(11) The University acknowledges that Indigenous Education is a priority area of operation and as such occupies a status similar to Learning and Teaching, Research, Engagement and Internationalisation.

(12) The University acknowledges that due to past educational practices many non-Indigenous Australians know very little about Indigenous Australia. In recognition of this and in seeking to encourage an inclusive Australian identity as well as raise the standard of professional service delivery to Indigenous Australians, the University is committed to the inclusion of Indigenous content within its courses. Similarly, the University is committed to the development of Indigenous cultural competency amongst its staff.

(13) The University is committed to the achievement of educational outcomes for Indigenous Australians, comparable to those of other Australian students.

(14) The University endorses the principle of equity for Indigenous peoples. Consequently, the University believes that in developing and delivering appropriate and effective educational services for Indigenous students, preparedness by staff to be flexible and innovative in terms of educational and service delivery are essential.

(15) In support of Indigenous education and in recognition of the need for the development and maintenance of innovative and flexible practices, the University is committed to the provision of exceptional resources to support Indigenous education.

(16) Implementation of this policy is a responsibility shared across all sections of the University and will be included in the University's staff performance management system.

(17) The University endorses Indigenous consultation in planning and implementation of activities initiated in support of the University Indigenous Education Policy.

(18) As part of its commitment to Indigenous inclusion and consultation, the University will ensure, where appropriate and practical, Indigenous membership on all relevant major and strategically significant committees, advisory groups and working parties. This includes committees, advisory groups and working parties which are not specifically Indigenous. In addition the University will ensure that Indigenous education issues are specifically included in all major strategies and plans.

(19) The University acknowledges that accountability to the Indigenous community both within the University and Greater Western Sydney regarding its plans, activities and achievements is essential.

(20) The University is committed to an environment which is non-discriminatory and free of harassment for Indigenous people.

Protocols

Western Sydney University Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Greater Western Sydney

(21) As a matter of Indigenous cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Gandangarra and Tharawal peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in Greater Western Sydney.

Cultural Protocol

(22) The University, as appropriate, will either seek a "Welcome to Country" or give an "Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners" at all significant University events. These may include but are not limited to graduation ceremonies, conferences, seminars, workshops, presentations, open days, public events etc.

Flags

(23) The University will display the Australian national, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags beside each other at a prominent location on each University campus. The flags will also be displayed in each University Boardroom. The flags are also to be displayed at all significant University events such as graduation ceremonies, conferences, seminars, workshops, presentations, open days, public events etc.

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Section 4 - Procedures

(24) Nil.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(25) This Policy is supported by the following documents published under the Associated Information menu:

  1. The United Nations Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Rights definition of "Indigenous Peoples". U.N., UNESCO, ref: E/Cn.4./Sub.2/L.566, 1982.
  2. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy
  3. Indigenous Higher Educations Advisory Council (IHEAC) Strategic Plan for 2006-2008: Improving Indigenous Outcomes and Enhancing Indigenous Culture and Knowledge in Australian Higher Education
  4. Western Sydney University's Reconciliation Statement, approved by the University Board of Trustees May 1998.
  5. University Indigenous Education Planning, Implementation and Management: Flow Chart (under development)