First Nations Education Policy Consultation

First Nations Education Policy Consultation

The First Nations Education Policy aims to define the national aspirations and priorities for First Nations education and accelerate improvements to the outcomes and experiences of First Nations learners across Australia.

Reconciliation Australia submissions to the Australian Department of Education was part of the consultation process undertaken in development of the First Nations Education Policy.

The Australian Department of Education approached development of the policy with the aim of ensuring the voices and perspectives of First Nations communities were heard, understood, and built into the policy.

Our submission called for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ self-determination to be upheld in all areas of development of the First Nations Education Policy, in alignment with the principles of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including in accountability and success measures.

Our submission also recommended that the policy would be strengthened by broader structural and sector anti-racism approaches such as implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework and use of Reconciliation Action Plans.

First Nations Education Policy Consultation submission

File Size: 602KB

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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