Indigenous strategy and education at La Trobe
La Trobe University has a long standing commitment to teaching, learning and research within the area of Indigenous Australian studies.
Acknowledgement
La Trobe University has campuses and undertakes teaching, learning and research activities in the traditional lands of the following people:
- Wurundjeri
- Boonerwrung
- Jaara Jaara
- Latji Latji
- Barkindji
- Muthi Muthi
- Wiradjuri
- Dhudhuroa
- WayWurru
- Yorta Yorta
- Bangerang
- Taunerong
The University acknowledges Aboriginal people's ongoing connection to the land upon which its campuses are located and values the contributions Indigenous Australians make to its activities.
Indigenous Strategy and Education Division
The Indigenous Strategy and Education Division provides direction for action and aims to overcome challenges involved with access, participation, retention and success in the context of tertiary education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at La Trobe.
The strategy is underpinned by both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Western, cultural and organisational philosophies and ways of being. These include; Dreaming, Cultural Integrity, Indigenous Knowledge, Flexibility, Sustainability and Survival, Determination and Empowerment, Achievable Goals with Measurable outcomes, Sharing, Collegiality, Evidence-based practice and Growth.
La Trobe University is committed to developing and growing educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
La Trobe University's Indigenous Strategy 2022 - 2030
La Trobe’s Indigenous Strategy articulates the University’s ambition to continue to impact the lives of Indigenous peoples in a positive and meaningful manner. The strategy and associated implementation plan set out the actions we will take through to 2030 to meet our objectives to decolonise the curricula, strengthen our culturally safe environment and raise participation amongst Indigenous staff and students.
Our joint vision is an institution where Indigenous leadership, self-determination and knowledges thrive, for the benefit of Indigenous students, staff and communities.
The Indigenous Strategy was endorsed by University Council in 2022.
Priority reform areas and alignment
The strategy describes La Trobe’s priority reform areas. Central to this is La Trobe’s ongoing commitment to strengthen cultural safety and place partnerships with Indigenous communities at the heart of our approach. Full details of each reform area can be found in the Strategy.
The strategy aligns with the La Trobe University Strategic Vision 2030. It is also informed by Universities Australia’s Indigenous Strategy 2022-2025.
This strategy breathes life into the University’s enduring commitment to walk with First Nations Australians as we continue the process of reconciliation, truth telling and treaty making. The university fully commits to the principles of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and acknowledges our important role in furthering the treaty process.
Consultation
This strategy has been developed by extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, beginning with Indigenous Elders and community members, Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees, Indigenous undergraduate and postgraduate students. We sincerely thank them for their thoughtful contributions.
Statement of purpose
The goal of the Indigenous Strategy and Education group is to exemplify and promote best practice in relation to Indigenous Australian Student Services, Indigenous Australian Studies Teaching and Research and Indigenous Australian Employment in the tertiary education sector.
Teaching, learning and research
The area is multi-disciplinary and incorporates activities across all Schools. The Indigenous Strategy and Education Group acts as a focus for teaching and research activities and brings academics, researchers, students and Indigenous communities together with the primary goal of increasing interest and scholarly exploration of the historical and contemporary cultures, issues and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The University's annual ISSP Performance Reports and Financial Acquittals:
- Indigenous Student Success Program Report (2021) [PDF 732KB]
- Indigenous Student Success Program Report (2020) [PDF 1.14MB]
- Indigenous Student Success Program Report (2019) [PDF 1.10MB]
- Indigenous Student Success Program Report (2018) [PDF 1.00MB]
- Indigenous Student Success Program Report (2017) [PDF 1.08MB]
Indigenous Strategy and Education group
The Indigenous Strategy and Education group incorporates:
- Indigenous Student Services
- Indigenous Australian Teaching and Research
- Indigenous Employment.
The group has members at all campuses and includes both academic and general staff. The group is led by the PVC Indigenous, reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
Sorry Book
On National Sorry Day (May 26) we remember the Stolen Generations whose lives were devastated by past government policies to remove Indigenous children from their families and communities.
This day acknowledges and signals deep regret at the impact these past policies had, and continue to have, on Indigenous Australian communities today.
A La Trobe University Sorry Book has been created to share our sorrow for the pain and trauma caused to all those stolen Indigenous Australian children, their families and communities.