www.firstnationstelegraph.com
An Open Letter to Mr Warren Mundine
by Max Lenoy 15 March 2014
D
ear Mr. Warren Mundine, I would like to introduce you to the late Mr. David Uniapon. You may have seen his face on the many $50 notes you have seen in your lifetime. Mr. Uniapon is the perfect example of Indigenous perspectives in modern day learning. He was an Aboriginal scientist, mathematician and physicist. In fact he used his
knowledge of Indigenous math, science and physics to create his inventions. I was once told he was credited with designing the first flyable helicopter(on paper)? Of course naysayers like you did not believe it was possible in his time and he was thus unable to get the funds to trial his design. You recently tweeted that “the science that explains Brewarrina fishtraps is same science that explains Taj Mahal, Great Wall, Harbour Bridge There’s 1 science” and I agree, you are correct (@ warrenmundine 14/03/14). However do you understand that you are actually confirming that an Indigenous Australian perspective of science is indeed the same as other perspectives science? The concepts are the same and by explaining this to students we explain to many non-Indigenous learners that all cultures used the same scientific concepts to thrive and survive. So why shouldn’t our young Indigenous students learn
that their ancestors used the same scientific knowledge as the Indians, Chinese and white Australians you mention in your tweet? Or would you rather the National curriculum present only one cultural perspective- that of a white Australian view? In one careless moment you sir have shamed all of those that have fought for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges in our classrooms. The work of educational warriors, Dr. Kaye Price, Dr. Paul Hughes, Dr. Penny Tripcony and the late Dr Yunupingu should not be so easily dismissed. Your comments are not only incorrect but ignorant as well. I have had the pleasure of seeing many non-Indigenous students and staff experience that light bulb moment when they walk on Country with Uncle Russell Butler. They finally see that Indigenous people have a scientific and symbiotic relationship with land, flora, fauna and seasons (and each other). That is what you don’t
Aboriginal scientist, mathematician and physicist, David Unaipon. Max Lenoy said “Mr. Uniapon is the perfect example of Indigenous perspectives in modern day learning”.
Page 1
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
understand about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the classroom. It seems coincidental that the National Curriculum review closed on Friday, 14, March. Was it your intention to sway the national conversation against Indigenous perspectives or was this a reactive
comment to an inquisitive journalist? I challenge you sir to think about your comments before you question the integrity of teachers, especially those that work to provide Indigenous perspectives of school curriculum. Einstein said, “The only source
of knowledge is experience.” Our people have more that 50,000 years of experiential knowledge to provide to our future generations (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), we should celebrate it rather than discard it. I am a proud Indigenous perspectives teacher.
named Leonardo DaVinci. Aside from his love affair with science, Unaipon became the first Aboriginal writer to ever be published, and he travelled extensively throughout Australia arguing for better treatment for all Aboriginals. We can only wonder how much more enriched Australia would have been had he not been ignored. While Unaipon died a destitute inventor, the irony is that he can now be found on the $50 bill, seen on billions of dollars around the country. http://goo.gl/L42wdw
Above: Unaipon plough. Below: Unaipon shears.
David Unaipon: Indigenius
It either takes a special kind of genius or a fool to chase the dream of perpetual motion. Ngarrindjeri inventor David Unaipon is saved from fool status by his lifetime of ingenuity and achievement against seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But that’s not to say he wasn’t treated the fool. He was. Not because of his pursuits – perpetual motion had its fans during Unaipon’s lifetime – no, David was treated the fool for being Aboriginal. As a youth, Unaipon was busy filling his mind with science, literature and music, defying the long-held belief that Aboriginals could barely participate in civilisation, let alone contribute in any meaningful manner. He applied for multiple patents on inventions he created – but was granted just ten. Among these were a centrifugal engine and multiradial wheel. His most recognised was a then new mechanical handpiece for sheep shearing but, as an Aboriginal, he was unable to raise the cash to fund his own production. The design was pilfered and he never saw a cent from the subsequent explosion in demand. Unaipon also saw the potential for a fixed-blade helicopter that utilised the aerofoil design of the boomerang, overturning the conventional ideology of the time that was still fixated on the “airscrew” design of some guy
Page 2