NAIDOC Resource: For Our Elders

NAIDOC week is an opportunity to highlight First Nations perspectives in the classroom. In 2023, the NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders. We acknowledge the continued achievements, contributions, and knowledges of Elders in our communities.

We are proud to present these engaging learning tasks for students in F-10. The leading knowledge holders who feature on our screens are to be shared for NAIDOC and beyond – to celebrate our Elders.

Years F-2
Little J and Big Cuz – Season 1, Episode 4
Duration: 12 minutes
Available at: SBS On Demand

Watch

In the episode ‘Right Under Your Nose’, Nanna – the primary caregiver of Little J and Big Cuz – sets off on an adventure with Old Dog to the beach. While each character’s personal quest is different, they all work together to catch a feed! Little J and Big Cuz will need to get along, be resourceful and learn from Nanna’s knowledges so they can lure bait, catch a fish, build a fire and cook it for dinner.

Discuss

  • Nanna is a key Elder in Little J and Big Cuz’s life. What did you notice about this character?
  • Nanna shared all the ways to catch a blue bone fish. Which steps do you remember?
  • Elders are important people in our community. What would you like to share about an Elder in your life?

Create

Draw the four characters on the beach adventure: Nanna, Little J, Big Cuz and Old Dog. Capture a favourite moment you remember to tell the story in drawings. If you like you could join the fun and include yourself in the scene. Imagine you are there, learning from Nanna and finding special things at the beach.

Extension

Visit the offical Little J and Big Cuz Website 

Years 3-4
Barrumbi Kids – Episode 4
Duration: 23 Minutes
 
Watch
In the episode ‘Actual Reality’, Tomias, Dahlia and Gordan head out to film footage of Country for Elders at the Mandjarkkorl nursing home.
 
Discuss
  • Aunty Ruby asked Tomias to share with her what he has seen recently, saying, “Tell me yarn for that Country”. How would you describe the Country where you live?
  • Elders are important people in our community. What would you like to share about an Elder in your life?
 
Create
Reflect on and draw upon the bird’s eye view perspective of Jawoyn Country when we watch ‘Rubys Country’, the VR film made by Tomias, Gordan and Dalia. Think about a significant place you love to visit, then draw all the natural elements in the environment as if you are seeing them like a drone filming in the sky.
Years 5-6
Red Dirt Riders – Episode 4
Duration: 14 Minutes
 
Watch
In this 3-minute clip from the episode ‘Bogged’ (page 11 of the Screen Sequence), the red dirt riders learn about the living memory of place by listening to an Elder. Nanna Allery holds memories of the river and the dam that was built in 1984. 
 
Discuss
  • Nanna Allery remembers changes in her Country; she remembers a river that flowed before the young red dirt riders were even born! Why might our Elders living memory be a valuable source to learn about our histories?
  • Elders are important people in our community. What would you like to share about an Elder in your life?
 
Create
Nanna Allery shared her memories about the changes on her Country before and after the dam was built in 1984. As a viewing response, fold a piece of paper in half. Imagine and then draw the river before the Harding Dam was constructed on one side of your paper, then draw the dried up riverbed the red dirt riders visited on the other side of the paper.  
 
Extension
Complete the worksheet (page 7) to respond to the learnings from Nanna Lyn.
Years 7-8
Thalu – Episode 1
Duration: 13 minutes
 
Watch
In the episode ‘Escape!’, seven adventurers must navigate their way on Ngarluma Ngurra to find eight stones and a key before the mysterious cloud destroys their Country. When they are encountered by the kids, Nanna Bea and Nanna Skinny offer advice to help them on their quest.
 
Discuss
  • Nanna Bea and Nanna Skinny are the all-knowing Elders in this episode. What did you notice about their strengths? How are these characters central to driving the narrative in this episode?
  • Elders are important people in our community. What would you like to share about an Elder in your life?
 
Create
In pairs, document possible ways to overcome the mysterious cloud which has been making people and the Country sick. Decode the advice, identify the symbolism and consider if there is any foreshadowing in the dialogue between Nanna Bea and Nanna Skinny to inform your strategy.
 
Nanna Bea
It’s hungry and it’s greedy and it’s eating everything.
Can it be stopped? Yes, it can.
Can it be turned back on itself? Maybe.
But to stand a chance, you mob will have to stick together.
 
Nanna Skinny
On your travels, you’ll find eight stones and a key. All marked.
When you find them, hold them. You’ll be needing them.
 
Nanna Bea
That key is no ordinary key. You’re gonna need to look after it
and make sure nothing happens to it.
Years 9-10
Crazy Fun Park – Episode 7
Duration: 28 minutes
 
Watch
In the episode ‘Friends with Feelings’, Nimrod is reunited with his Aunty Winnie more than 30 years after his fatal accident at Crazy Fun Park.
 
Discuss
  • In the decades that passed since Nimrod’s accident, Aunty Winnie has become an Elder. What has changed or remained the same in their relationship since they last saw each other in 1984?
  • Elders are important people in our community. What would you like to share about an Elder in your life?
 
Create
The bond between Crazy Fun Park characters Aunty Winnie and Nimrod is strong and true. Document your ideas about the ways that Elders like Aunty Winnie offer knowledges, support, reassurance, advice, and empowerment to the younger generations they care for. These notes can then be shaped into dialogue exchanges between characters from different generations.

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