SHOWCASING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE

In the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course, Year 11 IB students engaged in the unit ‘Knowledge and Indigenous Societies,’ exploring how knowledge is constructed and valued within Indigenous cultures. Aligned with NAIDOC Week, students created mini exhibitions addressing knowledge questions through objects significant to Indigenous societies.

This project connected to NAIDOC themes, honouring the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Each exhibition demonstrates students’ insights into the enduring value of cultural knowledge.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THREE STUDENTS’ EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

Ted Niven, who explored a colonial-era possum skin coat, comparing its symbolic use in colonial society to its cultural importance to Aboriginal people.

Lillian Healy, who presented a cast of a 20,000-year-old footprint from Lake Mungo, illustrating the rediscovery of ancestral knowledge through collaborative learning.

Aarush Mahajan, who showcased a protest painting by Indigenous artist Jack Green, highlighting the tension between sacred sites and economic interests.

THESE EXHIBITIONS REFLECT OUR STUDENTS’ APPRECIATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY.