Our Learning Way
At Nalderun, our programs respond to the challenges young First Nations people often face in the mainstream education system. We support and train teachers, local schools and local leaders in our ways of teaching and curriculum that follow our protocols. We take a holistic, intergenerational and strength-based approach to education.
Cultural Education
for First Nations Kids
Nurturing mob, kids at the core
Our programs have developed over time in response to emerging Community needs. All of our programs share a fundamental objective to support First Nations young people to stay in school and transition to meaningful work in the world. The Meeting Place is our flagship and longest running program. It sits at the heart of all that we do. Each session includes indoor and outdoor teaching through an Indigenous Pedagogy lens, bush tucker, Circle time, and opportunities for Cultural learning through intergenerational relationships.
Cultural Tours
Cultural Tours with Uncle Rick Nelson
A social enterprise supported by Nalderun and a long-held dream of Senior Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson and his father before him, Uncle Brien Nelson. This program connects participants with Country and culture through Uncle Rick's Tour, taking visitors to sites of importance and teaching them about Djaara culture.
Bush Tucker Farm Tours with First Nations Youth
Tours of Me Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Farm, led by First Nation Youth.
Training for Educators,
Local Leaders & Allies
Indigenous Relational Worldviews Training
With Kath Coff
Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation deliver a long running and highly effective yarning training program designed to assist non-Indigenous people, education centres and organisations work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Nalderun believe that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities are supported by non-Indigenous Australians who have open hearts and minds, amazing things can happen for the whole community and the way forward is together, walking side by side.
Self Reflective Conversations
With local Allies
Nalderun partner with the Castlemaine Self-Reflective Conversations Collective, run by and for local Non-Indigenous people to reflect on privilege, structural racism, decolonisation and allyship. To become good allies and to be a part of making real change in this space, the first thing white people and those within the dominant culture need to do is look hard at ourselves and our own culture. To do this we need to start with reflecting on our understanding and attitude surrounding significant events impacting on Aboriginal people and our own beliefs and values. It is only when we have some knowledge and critique of our own culture and its systemic racism, and our own ingrained and often unacknowledged privilege that we can go with open hearts and minds to find ways to work with and support First Nations people.
To express your interest in participating as a group or individual please email: reflectionconversations@gmail.com.
Education Resources for Teachers & Students
School Incursions
Meet our Elders and teachers who love to share their knowledge and teachings with kids of all ages. Invite them into your classroom today!
Education Resources
Nalderun came about through the work and legacy of Uncle Brien Nelson and Aunty Julie McHale, who believed that sharing is the way forward for everyone.
This work includes curriculum support that centers First Nations young people and perspectives, development of anti-racism resources for teachers, quarterly network meetings with local schools and consultations with local schools and education centres.