First Nations voices and perspectives are few and far between within open materials in Australasia. Canada and the United States of America have led the way in this space, with little progress being made in our local region. Charles Darwin University (CDU) in the Northern Territory is wishing to make a difference in this field with the publication in 2024 of two open texts;'Engineering on Country' and 'A Yolnu Philosophy Reader' led by First Nations authors. The rationale, purpose and audiences relating to the creation of these texts will be outlined as will the unique benefits and roadblocks experienced in creating open texts featuring First Nations knowledge and experiences.
Tara Burton, the Open Education Librarian at CDU will discuss the support provided to the authors of the two texts by CDU Library and professional staff. She will unpack practical strategies to employ in collaboration with authors throughout the publication process. This will allow participants to be able to better assist their academics wishing to create open texts featuring First Nations content. Participants will leave the session with some theoretical knowledge and a takeaway mini toolkit with templates, tips and resources to implement in their open practice.
This lightning talk will provide participants with a greater awareness of how to approach the creation and support of First Nations open texts from the perspective of a smaller, remote university which caters for TAFE, higher education and research sectors. The First Nations open texts at CDU are designed to be used across all sectors of the university and beyond, as the engineering and Yolnu content can be used within industry and business in the Northern Territory, as well as within Australia and in other countries. Crocodiles, cyclones, laksas, the build-up and humidity are not the only things we wish to be known for in the Northern Territory, with the emerging representation of our First Nations voices in open texts presenting an exciting addition to this wonderful place.
Charles Darwin University believes in ‘honouring Australian First Nations knowledges and cultures’ and ‘fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging and valuing our diversity’ (Charles Darwin University, 2021-2026) as outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan which lends itself well to the creation of open materials in this space and the Conference theme of 'Open Is Everyone’s Business'. 30% of the Northern Territory’s population are First Nations peoples with 13% of CDU’s commencing Higher Education students identifying as Indigenous which is higher than the national average Indigenous population of 3%. These statistics highlight both the need and opportunity for CDU to be at the forefront of creating open materials aimed at this student cohort and in bringing First Nations content to the international stage in an accessible way.
CDU is committed as an open educational practitioner, creators and supporters, to ensuring that Australia’s indigenous voices are more widely represented in our open materials. We encourage you to join us in making sure 'Open Is Everyone’s Business' and in closing this important gap in open education.
Included in
[Session 2C]: First Nations, EquityReferencesCharles Darwin University. (2021-2026). Charles Darwin University Strategic Plan 2021-2026.
Kutay, C., Maher, G., Bertei, S., Boye, T., Rupa Deva, S., Hughes, M., Leigh, E. & McArdle, P. (2024). Engineering on Country. Charles Darwin University.
Wanambi, G., Hayashi, Y. & Christie, M. (2024). A Yolnu Philosophy Reader. Charles Darwin University.
Author KeywordsFirst Nations perspectives, Local Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing, Open educational practices, Open textbooks
