1987 Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture
Aboriginal Culture and Learning Styles:
A Challenge for Academics in Higher Educational Institution
Culturally we are now beginning to recognise what we have within us and state this to education authorities. Although we have a very, very long way to go I believe that it is important that we do this for three main reasons:
- The fact of the matter is that despite what we believe Australia has done to us we are in it and in its education systems and this will be the case for most of our students forever. Therefore, we must have an input.
- It is essential that the people in the education systems recognise that Aboriginal students are in the classrooms. For the administrators it is essential to recognise that their system is dealing with different children and that their teachers need to have information on different teaching methodologies that will allow their Aboriginal students to learn.
- If we as Aboriginal people and educators do not provide this information then no one else will. We have a duty to our own society and its students.
Professor Paul Hughes
Professor Paul Hughes AM, FACE, is a Yunkunyatjatjara/Narunnga/Kaurna Aboriginal Australian, a well known Indigenous educator and, now, a proud Elder. His distinguished career includes having been a primary school teacher, an Education Officer with the DAA, Director of Aboriginal Studies and Teacher Education at the University of South Australia, Chair of the National Aboriginal Education Committee, Director of Aboriginal Education for the South Australian Department of Education, Director of the Yunggorendi First Nations Centre at Flinders University, and, most recently before his retirement, Dean and Head of School of the Indigenous College of Education and Research at the University of South Australia, His career has been as a teacher, policy maker, manager, consultant and researcher on Indigenous education issues world wide. He has been awarded the Order of Australia; an honorary Doctorate from Flinders University; Fellowship of the Australian College of Education including the College of Education Medal in 2000; plus the UNESCO Comenius Medal on behalf of the SA Aboriginal Education Unit.
Venue: Armidale Town Hall
