Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins has met with 15 new students studying Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, who are learning how to identify and preserve ancient stone tools.
The course, run by La Trobe University, is funded by the Victorian State government and offered to Victorian Aboriginal traditional owners or Torres Strait Islander residents. The program is a nationally accredited qualification and provides students with the skills to work in the cultural heritage industry.
Natalie Hutchins said that the course helps Traditional Owners and First Nations students build rewarding careers, “while preserving and protecting Aboriginal heritage for all Victorians”.
“Victoria’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is one of the oldest living cultures on Earth, and we’re proud to support the next generation of cultural heritage leaders,” she said.
Since 2010, 263 First Nations students have graduated from the Certificate IV, and more than 87% have gone on to work in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management field.
Graduates find employment in a range of organisations, such as Registered Aboriginal Parties representing traditional owners in Victoria, or some continue their studies with La Trobe University’s Bachelor and Master of Archaeology programs.
La Trobe University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Associate Professor Michael Donovan, say the University aspires to create the ideal learning environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students.
“It is our goal to give back to Indigenous communities, provide excellence in Indigenous scholarship through teaching and research, and be a culturally safe institution where Indigenous staff choose to work and Indigenous students choose to study.”
Traditional owners, cultural heritage professionals, and university academics lead the course. Students are provided with free meals, accommodation and reimbursement for transport costs as well as any learning materials provided.
Photo: Merry Jack, April 11 2015 is available HERE and is used under a creative commons licence. This image has not been modified.
