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Our children are born into a bed of ancient culture. Our educators hold and nurture our children in this ancient system. Listen to us!
Children’s Ground has supported the sixth Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Forum held from 28 – 30 August 2024 in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
This year over 90 educators from a diversity of Nations attended the event, coming together to share their experience, knowledge and expertise with one another.
Utyerre Apanpe is a national network of First Nations educators, working through cultural authority and educational standards.
The 2024 forum agenda focused on an implementation plan for the M.K. Turner Report – a blueprint for First Nations-led and designed education reform in Australia. The implementation plan will be delivered to Territory and Federal governments.
In conclusion to the Forum, the attending First Nations educators and senior leaders co-authored, signed and delivered a statement on the critical need for a national First Nations education system. The statement is an open-hearted invitation for all levels of government to work with First Nations people in collaboration to make the changes we know are needed.
Read the statement
Face us. Hear us. We have the solutions. Our ways have worked for over 65,000 years. Trust in us. We love and care for our children. We know our children. We know what we need to teach our children. And only our families and First Nations Educators can do this teaching. Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Educator Network
Face us. Hear us. We have the solutions. Our ways have worked for over 65,000 years. Trust in us. We love and care for our children. We know our children. We know what we need to teach our children. And only our families and First Nations Educators can do this teaching.
Our communities want real educational reform. We are not talking about reform of the mainstream system. We want to re-establish our own systems of education and for these to be recognised and supported across the country. We want to lead our own system of education – a national First Nations Education system. We recognise the right of each Nation to build and deliver education for their children and families.
What is the M.K. Turner Report
The M.K. Turner Report is a landmark report that was developed with more than 60 First Nations education experts represent a diversity of Nations. The Report offers six recommendations with the central recommendation being for the Australian Government to commit to the establishment of a new First Nations education system, designed and led by First Nations people.
The Report also recommends a complete reform of First Nations education and the establishment of our traditional system of learning, led by us, supported in partnership with Government. Australian governments at all levels have exhausted their solutions and failed our children. Our training comes through our Elders, our systems of knowledge and the land.
The further five recommendations call for Government to work with Utyerre Apanpe to establish structures, standards, resourcing and recognition for this system.
