Investigating rights and freedoms

In this program we focus on the principles of human rights in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ struggle for equal rights, recognition and self determination. 

Using an inquiry approach, students investigate first-person accounts and case studies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance, protest, and triumph in the Wesfarmers Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn Gallery. 

Drawing on artefacts, objects, oral histories and digital content, they form an opinion on whether Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ are afforded the same rights as other Australians.

Student experience

Students will:

• Explore the themes of Rights and Freedoms through the Wesfarmers Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn Gallery
• Use inquiry-based learning to gather evidence
• Investigate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have fought for rights and freedoms
• Explore human rights—what they are, why we have them and how they can be challenged
• Develop tools to discuss complex and difficult topics with empathy

Program feedback

"Very professional and powerful presentations."

Curriculum links

This program links to the following strands of the Western Australian Curriculum:

Year 10

HASS
History: Investigating rights and freedoms

• The origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration (WA10HAKUH5)
• The background to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ campaigns for rights and freedoms before 1965 (WA10HAKUH6)
• The significant events in the movement for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the extent to which they contributed to change (WA10HAKUH7)
• The continuing efforts to create change in the rights and freedoms in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and one other group (WA10HAKUH8)

Civics and Citizenship: Australia as a global citizen

• The international agreements the Australian Government has ratified and how they shape policies and laws, including their response to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (WA10HAKUC6)

HASS skills:

• Questioning and researching
  • Identify current personal knowledge, gaps, misconceptions, currency of information, personal perspective and possible perspectives of others (WA10HASKQ1)
• Analysing
  • Account for different interpretations and points of view/perspectives in information and/or data (WA10HASKA3)
  • Analyse the 'big picture' (WA10HASKA4)

Year 11

• Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (General)
  Unit 1 - Depth Study Two
• Humanities and Social Sciences in Action (General)
  Unit 1 - All humans have rights
• Modern History (ATAR)
  Unit 2 - Movements for change in the 20th century
  Elective 2: Recognition and rights of First Nations Peoples
• Modern History (General)
  Unit 1 - People, place and time (depending on elective/s chosen)

Year 12

• Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (ATAR)
  Unit 4 - Depth Study One
• Modern History (ATAR)
  Unit 3 - Modern nations in the 20th century
  Elective 1: Australia 1918–49 (the end of World War I to the 1949 election)

All facilitated workshops are led by the Museum’s experienced Learning and Engagement team and have been curated using the Museum’s unique resources to provide a deeper learning experience in our specialist subject areas.

Your booking for a facilitated workshop will include all materials and activities for the duration of the program with no prior preparation required.

As part of all facilitated workshop bookings, you are welcome to explore the rest of the Museum free of charge pre or post workshop and do not need to make any additional bookings to do so.  WA Museum Boola Bardip is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. 

Image by Marnie Richardson Photography.