Ancient knowledges and the need for a departure from mainstream education practice in the bush

Most contemporary educators would readily agree that knowledge acquisition is highly dependant on the availability of appropriate and powerful teaching and learning methodologies. Modern mainstream education practice is usually both effective and appropriate for modern mainstream learners. However, mainstream education theory and practice is sometimes incompatible with the world views and ways of knowing held by Indigenous peoples. Indeed, in some instances mainstream education practice is entirely inappropriate for Indigenous learners.

Inappropriate education practice can often contribute to the poor performance of those Indigenous learners immersed within the mainstream model. Indigenous people have their own ways of knowing things and teaching others. They have ownership of these practices. Their practices are based on a tradition of teaching and learning quite separate and distinct from mainstream education practice.

Mainstream education has failed to provide many contemporary Indigenous peoples with the skills and knowledge required to face the challenges of a fast –changing and complex world. As the 21st Century unfolds, Indigenous peoples in many countries struggle to protect their culture, language, art, song and traditional lands. Sadly, some of the Indigenous societies of today’s world remain locked in conflict with colonialism and many still wrestle with the ghostly ogre of neo-colonialism in one form or another.

Indigenous people are no longer able to live in geographical or temporal isolation. Population growth, diminishing natural resources, improved communication technologies and globalisation have all contributed to this situation. Indigenous peoples’ current struggle for survive must now entail an effective engagement with the non-Indigenous (Western) world. However, in many localities, Western ideas and teaching methods have not delivered the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for Indigenous people to actively confront the challenges of change. As a result, many contemporary Indigenous societies have become disempowered, impoverished and unable to effectively self-determine. In many cases, ancient and highly productive cultures have gradually become fragmented, dysfunctional groups struggling to survive in a confusing World.