For over 40 years Professor Buckskin’s passion was the pursuit of educational excellence for Aboriginal peoples.
Reconciliation Australia mourns the passing of Professor Peter Buckskin, a proud Narungga man from the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.
For over 40 years Professor Buckskin’s passion was the pursuit of educational excellence for Aboriginal peoples.
He contributed to significant changes within the education landscape, working tirelessly alongside First Nations education champions to ensure that First Nations peoples, histories, cultures and perspectives were embedded in Australia’s education system.
A strong supporter of the reconciliation movement, Professor Buckskin advised on – and formally launched – Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program in 2015.
He was a founding judge and patron of the Narragunnawali Awards.
His story is shared on film as part of First Nations Voices in Education a series that focuses on the legacies of five First Nations education champions who have transformed the Australian education system.
He also served for many years as Co-Chair of Reconciliation South Australia.
Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine said his impact on Reconciliation Australia’s work in the education sector is immeasurable.
‘He gave us one piece of advice in the very early days of the Narragunnawali program, and that was to “know your place in the space”, that First Nations people have been doing this work for a long time and know what works best for First Nations kids.
‘He advised Reconciliation Australia that our key role was to support teachers and educators – 98 percent who are non-Indigenous – to undertake the work of reconciliation.’
Beginning his career as a school teacher in Broome, his drive to improve education systems saw him take on numerous leadership roles, including becoming the youngest appointee to the National Aboriginal Education Committee (1981-1988).
He was the first Chairperson of Tauondi Aboriginal Community College, a Ministerial Adviser, Superintendent of Schools, and held senior executive positions at both state and federal levels.
Most recently he was Co-Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC).
Reconciliation Australia sends our deepest condolences to Professor Buckskin’s family and friends.
The image and video of Professor Buckskin are shared with family permission. The video is viewable on the Narragunnawali platform by signing in with a free account. Photo and videos: Gilimbaa
